The Journal of pediatrics
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The Journal of pediatrics · Jan 2003
Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on urea cycle intermediates and nitric oxide levels after congenital heart surgery.
To test the hypothesis that cardiopulmonary bypass used for repair of ventricular septal defects and atrioventricular septal defects would decrease availability of urea cycle intermediates including arginine and subsequent nitric oxide availability. ⋯ Cardiopulmonary bypass significantly decreases availability of arginine, citrulline, and nitric oxide metabolites in the postoperative period. Decreased availability of nitric oxide precursors may contribute to the increased risk of postoperative pulmonary hypertension.