Acute lung injury following cardiac surgery in children with unilateral pulmonary agenesis

Abstract Acute lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass is a well-known complication of cardiac surgery that contributes significantly toward postoperative morbidity and mortality. We present two cases of acute lung injury following cardiac surgery in children with unilateral pulmonary agenesis. Although these surgeries were successfully performed, the children experienced severe respiratory failure after cardiopulmonary bypass. One patient required prolonged ventilatory support with inhaled nitric oxide, whereas the other was supported postoperatively with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The acute lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass should be considered a serious complication in children with unilateral pulmonary agenesis.