Can postoperative serum lactate levels predict mortality in infants after open heart surgery?

Objective: Complex cardiac surgery is a cause of high morbidity and mortality in newborn infants.Elevated lactate levels after congenital cardiac surgery are indicative of tissue hypoperfusion and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.Serial lactate measurements are crucial in monitoring prognosis in this patient group. Monitoring lactate levels is important in the management of patients after congenital heart surgery to predict and prevent adverse events. Methods: Between July 2017 and December 1, 2022, the data of 115 patients aged 0-1 year who were followed up and treated at a pediatric cardiovascular surgery center, treated surgically, and underwent cardiopulmonary bypass during surgery were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Cardiopulmonary bypass duration and operative time were longer and postoperative serum lactate levels were higher in the mortality group. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between mortality and serum lactate levels (p