The Association Between Tau & GFAP and Postoperative Neurological Impairment in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Launched by BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · Mar 26, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the connection between certain proteins in the blood, called Tau and GFAP, and brain injury in children under 18 years old who are having heart surgery. These surgeries often use a heart-lung machine, which can affect the brain, and the researchers want to understand how these proteins might help indicate if brain injury occurs during or after the surgery.

To participate, children must be under 18 and scheduled for heart surgery at Boston Children's Hospital that involves the use of a heart-lung machine. However, kids who are in very poor health, require emergency surgery without enough time for consent, or have certain medical conditions, like blood disorders or cancers, will not be eligible. If your child qualifies, they will provide blood samples before and after the surgery to help the researchers learn more about the potential impacts on brain health. This study is important because it could lead to better ways to protect the brain during heart surgery in young patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • less than 18 years old
• • undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at Boston Children's Hospital
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • undergoing an emergent procedure and do not have more than 1 hour ahead of time to review the consent
• • patient in a moribund condition American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA 5)
• • patient with a hematological and/or oncological disease
• • Jehovah witnesses
• • patient on preoperative mechanical ventilation