Acute hepatic failure following cardiac operation in children.

A retrospective analysis has been performed of children who have undergone cardiac operations during the past 6 years to determine the clinical presentation and management of acute hepatic failure (AHF) in the postoperative period. Eleven patients had a clinical picture of AHF with jaundice, elevation of the levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum ammonia, and marked prolongation of the prothrombin time associated with failure of hemostasis. Hypoglycemia developed in seven. All patients had evidence of low cardiac output and acute renal failure. Patients with AHF had evidence of reduced hepatic perfusion during the previous 24 hours with reduced mean arterial pressure and elevated central venous pressure. Six children died of myocardial failure. A modified Fontan procedure was performed in six children, of whom four died. All had a right atrial pressure of 21 torr or greater. Five children survived the acute episode of hepatic failure. The importance of early diagnosis and effective management of complications such as hypoglycemia and the bleeding tendency are emphasized.