Direct postoperative protein S100B and NIRS monitoring in infants after pediatric cardiac surgery enrich early mortality assessment at the PICU

Abstract Background Neuromonitoring using plasmatic biomarkers such as S100B and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) represents a standard procedure for detecting cerebral damage after cardiac surgery. Their use in pediatric clinical assessment, however, is negligible. Objectives The goal of this study was to evaluate the predictive role of S100B levels and cerebral oxygenation in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients for survival and potential cerebral injuries. Methods A retrospective cohort study of infants after cardiac surgery. Primary outcome was survival until discharge. Intra/postoperative vital signs and laboratory data were measured and statistically analyzed. Results Seven out of 226 infants were non-survivors. Non-survivors had significantly lower cerebral saturation than survivors, as well as elevated S100B values at admission, associated with lower arterial pressure and higher serum lactate levels. Conclusion Although significant differences of S100B and crO2 values between survivors and non-survivors were found, no critical thresholds could be established from the data. Nevertheless, changes from the norm in these parameters should raise awareness for critical clinical development.