Two Inodilators Postsurgery in Neonates

Congenital heart defects are the most prevalent group of congenital malformations in newborns. Surgery-related low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) could be one of the reason for the unfavourable outcome of this population. The early use of inodilators (INDs), specifically milrinone (MR), is proposed to reduce afterload and increase inotropism. Studies in the paediatric population appear to support a clinical usefulness of MR similar to that observed in adults. Levosimendan (LEVO) is a novel class IND developed for the treatment of heart failure. Experience with LEVO in paediatric patients is scarce. The purpose of this study was to systematically test the efficacy and safety of milrinone (MR) and levosimendan (LEVO) in newborns undergoing cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Given the uncertainty about LEVO pharmacokinetics in neonates, the study was designed as a pilot, phase I feasibility study.

Surgical repair is the primary therapy for congenital heart defects in the newborn. The neonatal cardiovascular system is at particular risk to develop the surgery-related low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), thus vasoactive agents are routinely used in the postoperative management. Systematic research on the efficacy of these drugs is scarce in the newborn. As LCOS pathophysiology joints impaired myocardial contractility and the peripheral effects of ischemia/reperfusion injury on the endothelium, early use of inodilators (IND) are strongly recommended to reduce afterload and improve contractility. This study aims to test the equivalence in dose-dependent hemodynamic effects of 2 IND, Milrinone and Levosimendan, used early without loading dose in the preoperative period to prevent LCOS. By means of non-invasive technology the investigators will assess cardiac function (serial structural and functional echocardiography), the cerebral and peripheral perfusion and oxygenation (continuous near-infrared monitoring), cerebral function (continuous amplitude integrated EEG monitoring), will rule out CNS acquired lesions (serial transfontanelar echo-Doppler studies), and will follow up different biochemical markers of myocardial stress and apoptosis. Pharmacokinetic studies will be also performed.

Milrinone (MR) lactate 1 mg/ml: dose 1, starting immediately after central lines were placed and maintained for the duration of the surgical procedure; dose 2, on NICU admission; dose 3, after 2 hours of stability with dose 2, and maintained up to 48 hours. Accordingly, patients randomised to MR received 0.5 , 0.75 and 1 microg/kg per min

Before surgery, patients received milrinone (MR) (milrinone lactate 1 mg/ml). Intravenous continuous infusion of the study drug through a separate central line started intraoperatively and was increased step-wise at predefined time points: dose 1, starting immediately after central lines were placed and maintained for the duration of the surgical procedure; dose 2, on NICU admission providing the patient was in stable haemodynamic condition; dose 3, starting after 2 hours of stability with dose 2, and maintained up to 48 hours IND infusion started. Accordingly, patients randomised to MR received 0.5 , 0.75 and 1 microg/kg per min

Before surgery patients received levosimendan (levosimendan 2.5 mg/ml). Intravenous continuous infusion of the study drug through a separate central line started intraoperatively and was increased step-wise at predefined time points: dose 1, starting immediately after central lines were placed and maintained for the duration of the surgical procedure; dose 2, on NICU admission providing the patient was in stable haemodynamic condition; dose 3, starting after 2 hours of stability with dose 2, and maintained up to 48 hours IND infusion started. Accordingly, patients randomised to LEVO received 0.1 , 0.15 and 0.2 microg/kg per min, for doses 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

Changes in cerebral and thigh oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb), total haemoglobin (THb) and tissue oxygenation index (TOI). The cerebral and peripheral intravascular oxygenation as c∆HbD was also assessed.

NIRS evaluation started immediately after surgery and was maintained during 24 h. At 48 h after surgery, a new NIRS evaluation during 4 hours. At 96 h post-surgery, during 4h.

preoperative (baseline) and then one determination every 6 hours until 24 h post-surgery. One determination at 48h post-surgery. One determination at 96 h post-surgery.

preoperative (baseline) and then one determination every 6 hours until 24 h post-surgery. One determination at 48h post-surgery. One determination at 96 h post-surgery.

preoperative (baseline) and then one determination every 6 hours until 24 h post-surgery. One determination at 48h post-surgery. One determination at 96 h post-surgery.

preoperative (baseline) and then one determination every 6 hours until 24 h post-surgery. One determination at 48h post-surgery. One determination at 96 h post-surgery.

preoperative (baseline) and then one determination every 6 hours until 24 h post-surgery. One determination at 48h post-surgery. One determination at 96 h post-surgery.

Serum creatinine, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), troponine I (TnI) and proinflammatory and antinflammatory factors [interleukin (IL) beta 1, IL 6, IL 7, IL 8, IL 10, and tumor necrotic factor alpha

Basal, two hours after dose 2; and at 24 and 48h from the start of the IND infusion in infants receiving IND dose 3. Beyond that period (open study), daily samples were obtained for LEVO up to day 7 postsurgery, and at 10 and 14 days.

preoperative (baseline) and then one evaluation every 6 hours until 24 h post-surgery. At 48h post-surgery. At 96 h post-surgery.

Inclusion Criteria: Newborns undergoing cardiovascular surgery who were in stable pre-operative haemodynamic condition Parental consent given Exclusion Criteria: Parental consent refused Inodilators contraindicated

Bravo MC, Lopez P, Cabanas F, Perez-Rodriguez J, Perez-Fernandez E, Quero J, Pellicer A. Acute effects of levosimendan on cerebral and systemic perfusion and oxygenation in newborns: an observational study. Neonatology. 2011;99(3):217-23. doi: 10.1159/000314955. Epub 2010 Sep 25. Erratum In: Neonatology. 2011;99(4):301. Bravo, Maria del Carmen [corrected to Bravo, Maria Carmen]; Quero, Jose [added].