Perioperative levels of tumor necrosis factor-α correlate with outcomes in children and adults with tetralogy of Fallot undergoing corrective surgery.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies reporting on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as a marker of inflammatory response (IR) in patients with congenital heart disease were limited by small sample size and variability in diagnosis. We report perioperative changes in TNF-α levels and their correlation with preoperative factors and clinical outcomes in a large homogenous group of patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) undergoing definitive repair at a tertiary care center.

METHODS

A total of 167 patients were divided into four groups on the basis of age. Group 1 included infants less than 1 year, group 2 included children between 1 and 12 years, group 3 included adolescents between 12 and 18 years, and group 4 included adults more than 18 years of age. Serum TNF-α levels were measured at three time points and correlated with perioperative variables.

RESULTS

The baseline TNF-α level correlated with patients' nutritional status and degree of cyanosis in all four groups. The magnitude of IR in the postcardiopulmonary bypass (post-CPB) period as measured by TNF-α level was much higher and correlated more consistently with adverse clinical outcomes in the younger age group (groups 1 and 2). On multivariable analysis; age at operation, preoperative degree of hypoxemia and TNF-α levels were found to be independent predictors of clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated a rise in serum TNF-α levels in patients with TOF undergoing definitive repair on CPB, which correlated with preoperative severity of cyanosis, nutritional status, and adverse clinical outcomes. The TNF-α levels may be monitored to identify cyanotic patients at an increased risk of exhibiting augmented IR to CPB.