SummaryIn a randomised trial, we compared the effects of oral sildenafil (0.5 mg.kg )1 ) and placebo, , respectively; p = 0.002; right ventricle 6.93 (1.47) vs 8.09 (2.25) cm.s )1 , respectively; p < 0.001) were significantly reduced in the sildenafil group. In this trial, pre-operative sildenafil did not affect postoperative pulmonary vascular resistance. There was, however, a negative impact on ventricular function and oxygenation.

In this study, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) was used to assess changes in ventricular function following repair of congenital heart defects. The relationship between TDI indices, myocardial injury and clinical outcome was explored. Forty-five children were studied; 35 with cardiac lesions and 10 controls. TDI was performed preoperatively, on admission to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and day 1. Regional myocardial Doppler signals were acquired from the right ventricle (RV), left ventricle (LV) and septum. TDI indices included: peak systolic velocities, isovolumetric velocities (IVV) and isovolumetric acceleration (IVA). Preoperatively, bi-ventricular TDI velocities in the study group were reduced compared with normal controls. Postoperatively, RV velocities were significantly reduced and this persisted to day-1 (PreOp vs. PICU and day-1: 7.7+/-2.2 vs. 3.4+/-1.0, P<0.0001 and 3.55+/-1.29, P<0.0001). LV velocities initially declined but recovered towards baseline by day-1 (PreOp vs. PICU: 5.31+/-1.50 vs. 3.51+/-1.23, P<0.0001). Isovolumetric parameters in all regions were reduced throughout the postoperative period. Troponin-I release correlated with longer X-clamp times (r=0.82, P<0.0001) and reduced RV velocities (r=0.42, P=0.028). Reduced pre- and postoperative LV velocities correlated with longer ventilation (PreOp: r=0.54, P=0.002; PostOp: r=0.42, P=0.026). This study identified reduced postoperative RV velocities correlated with myocardial injury while reduced LV TDI correlated with longer postoperative ventilation.

Cystatin C is a sensitive marker of early renal dysfunction following pediatric heart surgery. Variations in bypass parameters, myocardial injury, and ultimately critical oxygen delivery are significantly associated with the degree of renal impairment.

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The results are reported of a postal survey into current trends in the management of compartment syndrome and the use of compartment pressure monitoring (CPM) within Scottish trauma units. The majority of consultants in the study felt that all patients, especially the obtunded, with suspected compartment syndrome should be diagnosed using a combination of clinical review and CPM. 73% had CPM devices available representing an increase of 27% compared with previously published UK data. 43% improvised a device using a standard CVP/Arterial-line, transducer and monitor. Marked variation in threshold pressure was noted with the majority recommending perfusion pressure (PP) of diastolic blood pressure (DBP)--intracompartmental pressure (ICP) < 30 mmHg for intervention. We have found no published evidence to suggest that CPM in itself is harmful. Although a marked variation in intervention threshold exists in the literature, we would support a perfusion pressure of < 30 mmHg as being a safe, familiar and conservative intervention threshold, particularly when used in conjunction with clinical assessment.