LAUSR

Acid-base balance in children with congenital heart disease before and after heart surgery is of paramount importance. In general, newborns have a reduced ability to cope with metabolic acidosis, especially under parenteral nutrition. Changes in arterial pCO2 and pH determine changes in pulmonary vascular resistances, which may trigger serious hemodynamic problems in the balance between systemic and pulmonary circulation and in case of critical pulmonary blood flow (cavopulmonary connection, Fontan circulation). In patients with tetralogy of Fallot, acidosis and hypercapnia are triggers of tet-spell crisis.