Haem is associated with thrombosis in neonates and infants undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease

BackgroundHaem levels are associated with thrombosis in a variety of diseases, as well as being a contributing cause of thrombotic events in animal models. Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed samples from 39 children who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, including 15 children who developed a postoperative thrombosis and 24 controls. ResultsPatients who developed thrombosis postoperatively had statistically significant higher average haem levels over time (presurgery to 12 h postsurgery) compared to patients who did not develop thrombosis. ConclusionHigher cell-free total haem levels are associated with a higher risk of thrombosis in a paediatric cardiac surgical cohort.