Impact of Operative and Postoperative Factors on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes after Cardiac Surgery

Operative and postoperative factors’ relationship to intermediate term neurodevelopment were assessed in patients who underwent cardiac surgery on bypass at age 9 mos or less using the Psychomotor Development Index (PMI) and the Mental Development Index (MDI).  Lower PDI and MDI were associated with longer interoperative support time, with use of ECMO or VAD, and with longer postoperative length of stay.  After adjusting for patient, preoperative, operative, and postoperative factors, the operative and postoperative factors accounted for only 5% of the variance, suggesting that preoperative and patient factors have the most impact on postoperative neurodevelopment.