OBJECTIVEIschemic postconditioning effectively minimizes the ischemic/reperfusion injury, and the large series of case reports on its protective effects in cardiac surgery are limited. A randomized trial was conducted to investigate the effect of ischemic postconditioning on cardiopulmonary protection in children undergoing cardiac surgery for tetralogy of Fallot.

METHODSOne hundred and five-children with tetralogy of Fallot undergoing surgery were randomly assigned to control (n=58) and ischemic postconditioning groups (n=47). Ischemic postconditioning was performed by intermittent aortic clamping after reperfusion. After surgery, the duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, capacity of blood transfusion, hemodynamics, inotropic scores, respiratory function, and release of blood lactate were assayed.

RESULTSThere was a significant decrease in the ICU stay in the postconditioned group compared with the control group (37+/-21 hrs vs 54+/-26 hrs; P<0.05 ). The capacity of blood transfusion (308+/-230 mL vs 526+/-515 mL; P<0.05) and the inotropic scores (5.9+/-5.0 vs 10.3+/-7.7; P<0.05) in the postconditioned group were significantly reduced compared with those in the control group. Blood lactate contents in the postconditioned group was significantly lower that those in the control group 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 20 hrs after surgery. The postconditioned group showed more improved hemodynamics and respiratory function than the control group.

CONCLUSIONSIschemic postconditioning may provide clinical benefits with respects to myocardial and pulmonary protections in children undergoing repair for tetralogy of Fallot.