Cardiovascular responses to PEEP and CPAP following repair of complicated congenital heart defects.

Fourteen infants and children ranging in age from 7 months to 8 years were studied in a hemodynamically stable condition following repair of various heart defects. Changes in cardiac index, stroke index, heart rate, systemic vascular resistance, mean arterial pressure, and central venous pressure were evaluated at levels of 0, 5, and 10 cm H2O using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in 14 patients and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in 3 patients. No significant changes were found in any of the measurements taken at the different levels.