Evaluation of the Correlations Between Sodium Fluctuations and Clinical Outcomes in Children Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Introduction: Sodium abnormalities constitute some of the most common electrolyte disorders during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and they exhibit a rise for various reasons during CPB. The use of CPB for correcting congenital heart diseases in infants has profound physiological effects on most organs. The devastating effects of CPB are often more pronounced in infants. This study aimed to determine the relationship between sodium fluctuations and clinical outcomes in infants undergoing CPB.   Methods: This cross-sectional study (correlational) was conducted on 473 children who underwent CPB in 2016 according to our inclusion criteria. The samples were divided into 2 groups according to sodium fluctuations with a cutoff point of 15 mEq/L, and the clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. The data were analyzed by SPSS, version 16, and presented as descriptive and inferential statistics.   Results:The incidence of cardiac (P<0.001), pulmonary (P=0.005), renal (P=0.02), neurologic (P=0.001), and hemorrhagic (P=0.02) outcomes were significantly different between the 2 groups. Gastrointestinal outcomes, infection outcomes, intubation time, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and mortality were not significantly different between the 2 groups.   Conclusions: Sodium fluctuations of 15 mEq/L or higher, as an independent factor, exacerbated cardiac, pulmonary, neurologic, renal, and hemorrhagic outcomes. (Iranian Heart Journal 2021; 22(2): 27-37)