Serum concentrations of prostacyclin and thromboxane in children before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass

Twenty-six consecutive pediatric patients undergoing reparative procedures necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively studied to determine changes in serum levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) and thomboxane B₂. Cardiac lesions included acyanotic lesions (five patients), obstructive lesions (10 patients), and right-to-left shunts (11 patients). There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) from preoperative levels to levels measured at the time of arterial and venous cannula insertion. This concentration was maintained throughout cardiopulmonary bypass and remained significantly elevated (p < 0.001) in the recovery room, but returned to preoperative levels by the morning after the operation. Preoperative levels of thromboxane B₂ varied widely and were not significantly different from intraoperative levels. The postoperative levels of thromboxane B₂, however, were significantly different (p < 0.05) from the intraoperative levels. In the pediatric age group undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass, 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) and thromboxane B₂ change during bypass but do not significantly differ when preoperative levels are compared to postoperative values.