Oxidative stress markers are not associated with outcomes after pediatric heart surgery

Summary Objectives To investigate whether perioperative serum levels of oxidative stress markers, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and carbonyl moieties are associated with outcomes in children after heart surgery. Background Oxidative stress markers are increased following heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and can play a role in ischemia–reperfusion injury, but its associations with myocardial dysfunction, low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), and outcomes are not proven. Methods In a retrospective secondary analysis of a cohort study comprising 55 children (median age, 109 [2–611] days), we compared pre-, intra- and postoperative serum levels of TBARS and carbonyl moieties among patients with and without postoperative LCOS, cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD), and survivors and nonsurvivors. We also assessed the independent effect of TBARS and carbonyl moieties peak levels on the mortality-adjusted hospital length of stay (aLOS). Results Patients who developed postoperative LCOS (n = 36) were significantly younger, more frequently cyanotic, more severely ill, and underwent more complex procedures with longer CPB. However, TBARS and carbonyl moieties serum levels did not change significantly over time. Moreover, they were not significantly different in patients with or without LCOS, cyanotic and acyanotic CHD, or survivors and nonsurvivors. There was a significant correlation between TBARS and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) peak serum levels. Neither TBARS nor carbonyl moieties peak serum levels were independently associated with aLOS. Conclusions In conclusion, oxidative stress markers TBARS and carbonyl moieties were not associated with the development of LCOS, the aLOS, or mortality in children after heart surgery with CPB.