Postoperative low cardiac output in infancy.

PLCO can be a devastating and fatal complication after open-heart surgery in infants. Knowledge of the risk factors for the development of PLCO can assist the critical care nurse in anticipating, recognizing, and participating in the treatment of infants who develop this syndrome. An understanding of the causes of PLCO and their relationship to heart rate, preload, afterload, and contractility can help the nurse to predict and interpret its development in her patient. This knowledge can also assist the nurse in differentiating the problem based on her clinical assessments and hemodynamic data. Last, a comprehension of the causes and clinical picture of PLCO will increase the nurse's understanding of the rationale and timing of interventions for PLCO and will equip her to evaluate the effectiveness of those interventions.