Postoperative Care
Inotropic support was initiated through the combined use of dopamine and
dobutamine. Adrenaline was also needed in most patients, combined with
vasodilators such as milrinone to reduce afterload. In three patients
aged >1 year, inhaled nitrous oxide and oral sildenafil and
bosentan were used to treat postoperative pulmonary hypertension and
prevent pulmonary hypertension crisis. Peritoneal dialysis was used in
seven patients to remove excessive water. The median ICU stay was 23.4
days (range: 2–35 days).