Simple deep hypothermia for open heart surgery in infancy

Results of open cardiac surgery under deep simple hypothermia in 121 infants with body weight of less than 10 kg are reported. Deep ether anaesthesia combined with large quantities of ganglion blocking agents (triflupromazine 3 mg/kg) constitutes the anaesthetic management of choice for deep surface-induced hypothermia. The mean lowest oesophageal temperature was 20.8° C, and 18.9° C rectally. The mean circulatory arrest time was 40 minutes. Seventeen infants ( 14.0 per cent) died post-operatively. There were no operative deaths attributable to failure of cardiac resuscitation.