Abstract

LOPEZ-HERCE CID, Jesús et al. Risk factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery in children. Med. Intensiva [online]. 2008, vol.32, n.8, pp.369-377. ISSN 0210-5691.

Objective. To study the postoperative factors associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery in children. Design. Prospective observational study. Setting. Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Patients. 59 children aged between 2 months and 14 years after cardiac surgery. Variables of interest. We analyzed postoperative parameters associated to mechanical ventilation lasting more than 3 and more than 7 days. We performed a stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis to study the influence of each factor on prolonged mechanical ventilation. Results. Mechanical ventilation lasted more than 3 days in 19 (32%) children and more than 7 days in 12 (20%). Predictive factors at PICU admission and 24 hours after admission associated with mechanical ventilation at 3 and 7 days were age less than 12 months, weight less than 7 kg, extrapulmonary complications (hypotension, arrhythmias, postoperative bleeding, delayed sternal closure, and airway complications), nitric oxide treatment, midazolam perfusion more than 4 μg/kg/min or fentanyl perfusion more than 4 μg/kg/h, and continuous muscle relaxant treatment. In the logistic multiple regression study, weight less than 7 kg and extrapulmonary complications predicted 82.8% of children with mechanical ventilation more than 3 days and 87.9% with mechanical ventilation more than 7 days. Conclusions. Weight less than 7 kg and extrapulmonary complications are the most important factors associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery in children.

Keywords : Prolonged mechanical ventilation; Pediatric cardiac surgery; Risk factors.

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