Reperfusion pulmonary edema in children with tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries undergoing unifocalization procedures: A pilot study examining potential pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical significanc

Fifty percent of children with TOF/PA/MAPCAs undergoing unifocalization surgery developed RPE. Levels of plasma biomarkers of alveolar epithelial and endothelial injury and lung inflammation were not increased in patients with RPE compared with those without RPE. The presence of RPE did not affect the duration of respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation. The process of RPE is clinically self-limited and seems unlikely to be associated with vascular changes.