Fever and Infection after Cardiac Operation

Hepcidin, interleukin-6 and hematological iron markers in males before and after heart surgery

“…Surgical procedures induce an inflammatory reaction commonly known as the postoperative acute-phase reaction [8], which in turn affects a number of acute-phase proteins, such as ferritin [9] and the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) [10]. Since IL-6 has been proposed as a major inducer of hepcidin [11,12], via STAT3 (signal transducers and activators of transcription protein 3) [13], this work addressed questions regarding the impact of major surgery on prohepcidin, hepcidin, hematological iron markers and IL-6 in humans.…”

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator for atrial septal defect!!

“…Pregnancy in patients of ES is associated with high maternal mortality. [1,2] A 25-year-old woman (height 156 cm and body weight 52 kg), a known case of ES, presented with 34 weeks gestation along with cough, expectoration and breathlessness, bilateral ankle swelling for 15 days and palpitation for 2 months. She was treated with oral thyroxin 50 µg once daily for last 3 months.…”

“…The presence of fever 48 h after surgery should prompt a diligent search for deep-seated infection. [2] Therefore, blood, endotracheal secretion and urine specimen were cultured to rule out infectious etiology, which came negative after 48 h. Dengue was also considered as the cause, which was negative. In view of negative culture for bacterial infections, viral myocarditis was strongly suspected in our case.…”

Approach to postoperative fever in pediatric cardiac patients

“…The presence of fever 48 hours after surgery should prompt a diligent search for deep-seated infection. [36] Appropriate evaluation of postoperative fever includes a careful history, targeted physical examination, and additional studies if indicated.…”