Peritoneal dialysis for the prevention of fluid overload in infants after cardiac surgery - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective is to compare peritoneal dialysis with standard care therapy for the prevention of fluid overload in infants after cardiac surgery. We searched published literature through the major database up to December 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-randomized trials, and observational studies were included in the study. The primary outcome measures were as follows: all-cause mortality and duration of hospitalization. Of the 392-citation retrieved, full text of 7 was finally assessed for eligibility. Of these, a total of five studies (RCTs = 3, and observational studies = 2) were included. There was no significant difference between the prophylactic PD and the standard therapy group for any of the primary outcomes. The present systematic review shows that prophylactic PD is not beneficial compared to standard care in infants postcardiac surgery for congenital heart disease. The GRADE evidence generated was of "very low quality."