Reducing the Incidence and Severity of Pericardial Adhesions With a Sprayable Polymeric Matrix.
Konertz, Wolfgang F MD, PhD a; Kostelka, Martin MD, PhD b; Mohr, Friedrich W MD, PhD c; Hetzer, Roland MD, PhD c; Hubler, Hubler Michael MD c; Ritter, Julia MD a; Liu, Jianchi MD a; Koch, Christina MD a; Block, Jon E PhD d,a,*
[Article] Annals of Thoracic Surgery,The. 76(4):1270-1274, October 2003.

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Purpose. This study was undertaken to evaluate the antiadhesive properties of a polymeric agent in infants undergoing staged surgical correction of congenital heart abnormalities.

Description. Sixteen infants having staged surgical repair were treated with a polymeric matrix at the completion of the initial surgery. There were 5 untreated controls. The tenacity and extent of adhesions at five separate regions of the heart were evaluated at the follow-up surgery.

Evaluation. For all sites combined, there was a threefold difference in median tenacity scores in favor of the experimental treatment (1.0 vs 3.0, p < 0.01). Significant differences were achieved separately at the right ventricle and the anterior surface of the great vessels (p = 0.02 for both comparisons). Analysis of adhesion scores reflecting the extent of adhesions similarly favored the experimental treatment for all sites (80 vs 270, p < 0.01), with significant differences persisting at the right atrium (p < 0.01) and the anterior surface of the great vessels (p = 0.04). There were no treatment-related adverse events.

Conclusions. Use of this polymeric agent at the completion of open cardiac surgery may prevent the occurrence or reduce the severity of pericardial adhesions.

(C)2003 Elsevier, Inc.