Abstract

Aims & Objectives Abnormal levels of coagulation factors have been described in patients with univentricular physiology during their postoperative period. The objectives of our study were to determine antithrombin III levels in newborns before and after stage one surgery and determine risk factors associated with venous thrombosis. Methods Prospective descriptive study in patients with univentricular physiology admitted to the Pediatric Critical Patient Unit of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile from May 2017 to December 2018. Clinical, demographic characteristics, laboratory tests and ultrasound findings. Results 16 patients were recruited. 6 patients (37.5%) presented venous thrombosis and all of them were related to femoral central venous access. A decrease in Antithrombin III levels was asociated with venous thrombosis (p<0.02). Patients with venous thrombosis had longer hospital stays (p<0.08) and more days in the intensive care unit (p<0.07). Variables not asociated with venous thrombosis were (p>0.05): activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, Hematocrit, platelets, days of mechanical ventilation, PIM-2 score, VIS score, CPB Time and Clamp time. Conclusions Venous thrombosis was frequent in our group of patients with congenital heart disease with univentricular physiology after stage one surgery and was associated with lower levels of AT III. Due to this high incidence of events, they should be actively ruled out specifically if they have a femoral venous access. Lower levels of AT III may be a characteristic of patients with univentricular physiology and could be exacerbated during the perioperative period. Larger studies are needed in order to answer these questions.