Relationship Between Intraoperative Cerebral Desaturation and Postoperative Complications In Pediatric Patients Undergoing Congenital Heart Surgery: Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of cerebral desaturation and the possible relationship between intraoperative cerebral desaturation and postoperative complications. Methods: A prospective, observational study was performed 115 patients under 18 years of age who required open heart surgery in a university hospital. Cerebral desaturation was defined as a 25% decrease in cerebral saturation (low alarm limit) when compared with the basal value. Duration (second) was referred to the amount of time the patient stays below low alarm limit. Depth (%) was referred to gap between the patient’s cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) level and the rSO2 low alarm limit. The cerebral desaturation score was calculated using the %*seconds. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (desaturation score >3000 %sec) and group 2 (desaturation score ≤ 3000 %sec). The groups were compared in terms of demographic data, intraoperative and postoperative variables, postoperative complications, and duration of intensive care and hospital stays. Results: In the study, 59 patients (51.3%) were male and 28 patients (24.3%) had cyanotic heart disease. A total of 55 patients (47.8%) experienced over 3000 %sec desaturation. Postoperative complications were found to be increased in group 1 (71% vs 3.3%; χ²=57.119, p<0.001). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, desaturation score>3000 %sec (p<0.001), low body surface area (p=0.001) and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (p=0.006) were found to be associated with postoperative complications. Conclusion: In patients undergoing congenital heart surgery, cerebral desaturation score >3000 %sec is associated with a negative effect on patient prognosis.