Background: Effects of circulatory arrest upon an inborn error of metabolism patient are unknown.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of outcome and biochemical parameters obtained during palliative cardiac surgery for a mutase-deficient methylmalonic aciduria patient with Ebstein's cardiac anomaly was performed.
Results: The levels of ammonia, methylmalonic acid, free carnitine, and propionylcarnitine of the patient were improved. The patient survived surgery following institution of four metabolic treatment principles: 1) restriction of toxic substrate; 2) promotion of anabolism via administration of carbohydrate and lipid calories; 3) administration of detoxifying levocarnitine and sodium benzoate; and 4) cobalamin enzymatic co-factor administration. The patient died from post-operative dysrhythmia and was posthumously determined to have compound heterozygosity for mutations predicting severe, cobalamin non-responsive disease: c.322C>T/c.1233del3 (p.R108C/p.ΔI412).
Conclusion: Metabolic decompensation is preventable during cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia using four principles of metabolic treatment.