Intuity valves showed lower gradients compared to Perimount valves with the same mean size. Paravalvular leaks identified at the time of implantation in Intuity valves need to be addressed at the time of surgery.

Dopexamine hydrochloride, a synthetic dopamine analog with predominantly beta and delta agonist properties, has been shown to improve cardiac performance and renal function in adults with heart failure. This study was designed to investigate the haemodynamic and renal effects of dopexamine in children after cardiac surgery. Seven children were selected in whom a need for postoperative vasodilation after cardiac surgery was anticipated. Haemodynamics and renal function were determined under baseline conditions and during a continuous infusion of dopexamine at 2 and 6 µg.kg-1 .min-1 for 90 minutes, the sequence being randomized for the initial dose. Cardiac output was measured by thermodilution and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) by the clearances of inulin and para-aminohippurate respectively. Dopexamine induced a dose-related increase in cardiac index (CI) expressed as mean (SD) from 3.5 (0.7) to 3.9 (0.76) and 4.5 (0.8) l.min.-1 m-2 (both P<0.05), and in heart rate (HR) from 107 (17) to 122 (17) and 136 (17) beats.min-1 (P<0.05). Stroke volume index (SVI) and mean systemic pressure were unchanged, but pulmonary wedge pressure decreased from 14 (3) to 11 (4) and 12 (3) mmHg (both P<0.05).