A randomized controlled trial of electrical cardiometry-guided perioperative hemodynamic management in children undergoing cardiac surgery

Background and Aims: Children undergoing corrective surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk of perioperative hemodynamic instability and low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Conventional monitoring relies on static parameters that may inadequately reflect real-time cardiac performance. Electrical cardiometry (EC) provides continuous, noninvasive assessment of cardiac output and related indices. This study evaluated whether EC-guided perioperative management improves early postoperative outcomes compared with conventional monitoring in pediatric CHD surgery. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 60 children (0–15 years) undergoing elective corrective CHD surgery were randomized to EC-guided management (Group 1, n = 30) or conventional monitoring (Group 2, n = 30). In Group 1, perioperative fluid and vasoactive therapy were guided by EC-derived parameters, including cardiac index (CI), stroke volume, thoracic fluid content, and stroke volume variation. Group 2 was managed using standard clinical and invasive parameters. The primary outcome was the incidence of LCOS within 48 h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included vasoactive inotropic score (VIS), major adverse cardiac events, and in-hospital mortality. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable. Group 1 demonstrated significantly higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 8, 16, and 24 h postoperatively, faster lactate clearance, and lower VIS during the early postoperative period. CI correlated positively with MAP and urine output and inversely with lactate levels. No mortality occurred. Conclusions: EC-guided perioperative management aids in achieving early postoperative hemodynamic stability and metabolic recovery in children undergoing corrective CHD surgery and represents a valuable noninvasive adjunct to conventional monitoring.