Pollock E M, Pollock J C, Jamieson M P, Beastall G S, Wright C, Torsney B, McNicol L R
(Department of Anaesthesia), Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow.
Br J Anaesth. 1988 Apr;60(5):536-41. doi: 10.1093/bja/60.5.536.
Plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations were measured in two groups of children (aged 1-16 yr). Ten children underwent routine (non-pulsatile) cardiopulmonary bypass and 10 underwent pulsatile bypass under moderate hypothermia (28-32 degrees C). Comparable increases in cortisol and ACTH concentrations were demonstrated at the onset of bypass and the concentrations of both hormones increased during bypass. In the post-bypass period plasma cortisol concentration increased sharply; there was no further increase in the plasma ACTH concentration. By 24 h the concentrations of both hormones had declined towards baseline values. There were no significant differences between the groups.
