Clinical Assessment of Thrombosis in Children After Heart Surgery

Overview

Thromboembolic complications (TCs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality after pediatric cardiac surgery, resulting in longer hospital stay, increased risk of early and late post-surgical complications, early reoperation, neurologic and organ damage, and potentially death. The true incidence of blood clots in pediatric surgical patients is unknown. The overarching objective of this study is to further our understanding of TCs, including quantification, characterization and risk stratification. This study will ultimately allow the development of effective tools for prevention and early identification of TCs, rather than focusing on treatment alone.

There is very limited data on TCs associated with cardiac surgery in pediatric patients. The actual incidence of TCs in this context is not currently known reflecting a lack of clinical suspicion, reporting biases, and/or the use of inappropriate diagnostic tests Pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with disruption of blood flow, platelet dysfunction and activation, and blood hypercoagulability; all of which are contributing to clot formation All congenital heart defects are associated with blood flow disturbance but some are associated with more extreme disturbances. The investigators hypothesize that not all types of CHD repairs will be at the same risk of TCs based on the extent of blood flow disturbances they cause. The investigators hypothesize that line location, difficulties in line insertion, including multiple insertion attempts and longer duration of indwelling will be associated with increased risk of TCs. Pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with inflammation and platelet activation, both of which are potent contributors to blood hypercoagulability: CPB presents a hemostatic challenge associated with an abundance of pro-thrombotic risk factors and an opposite presence of pro-hemorrhagic risk factors. The investigators hypothesize that factors associated with increased platelet activation and inflammation, and in consequence, greater laboratory values of markers of platelet activation and inflammation, will be associated with increased risk of TCs. Coagulation system activity in children is immature, hyporeactive and exhibits a high degree of resistance to heparin and anticoagulation. The investigators theorize that lower levels of coagulation system activity, presence of high-risk genetic polymorphisms, greater CPB hemodilution, increased heparin requirement and lower blood heparin activity expressed by anti-factor X activity (anti-Xa) concentration during CPB and greater requirement for allogeneic blood will be associated for increased risk of TCs. There is a lack of consensus on clinical and laboratory signs/symptoms of active thrombosis and on which patients should be routinely screened for TCs. One of the most difficult aspects in the management of TCs is the fact that many episodes are asymptomatic or have non-specific symptoms. Creating a risk stratification model including both clinical and laboratory abnormalities which could be indicative of TCs in the post-operative period in order to identify patients who should undergo more targeted screening is the third aim of this study. Many methods of TC management have limited effectiveness while highly effective methods are often associated with much risk. The use of thrombolytics in children is rare and only partially effective in many cases. The margin of safety for treatment is thought to be very narrow; the reported frequency of major bleeding episodes varies from 5% to 40%. Outcomes of TCs are suboptimal, early surgical and long-term complications for survivors are frequent. The creation of risk stratification models for suboptimal surgical outcomes, PTS syndrome and, lower functional health status after surgery will be the fourth and final aim of this study.