DOES CARDIAC TROPONIN-I IS RECOGNIZED AS AN EARLY POSTOPERATIVE MARKER FOR MYOCARDIAL DAMAGE IN CHILDREN?

Introduction:Cardiac troponin-I being a sensitive marker of myocardial damage needs to be analyzed in children undergoing cardiopulmonary by-pass surgery, as perioperative myocardial damage may be a significant factor of postoperative cardiac performance. The present study aims to test the prognostic value of Cardiac troponin-I concerning the early postoperative course after pediatric cardiac surgery. Methods:Cardiac troponin – I levels were measured and correlated with intra and postoperative parameters of thirty-three children undergoing open-heart surgery. The cutoff point for the definition of a high and a low-risk group of Cardiac troponin-I values was set at 25 ng/ml. Results:Overall, cTnI peak value was higher than 25 ng/ml in 21 patients among these,4 died, and two of them were reported with the value of >100 ng/ml. 38.7% of the patients were complicated by different types of arrhythmias. Junctional ectopic tachycardia was the most common type of arrhythmia,while heart block complication was found only in one case, which was temporarily treated by pacing for less than 24 hours. The results showed significant correlation of troponin I values with dobutamine dose mg/kg (p-value=0.043), dobutamine duration (p-value=0.020), creatinine (p-value= 0.002), and internalcare unit stay (p-value= 0.003). Conclusion: The present study confirms that troponin I is specific and sensitive marker of myocardial injury after pediatric cardiac surgery.