The Effects of Corticosteroids on Survival in Pediatric and Nonelderly Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Studies

Objective: Cardiac surgery can be complicated by the development of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome related to cardiopulmonary bypass. This potentially contributes to the occurrence of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Corticosteroids can be used to reduce such inflammation, but the overall balance between potential harm and benefit is unknown and may be age-dependent. The present meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of prophylactic corticosteroids in pediatric and non-elderly adult cardiac surgery patients.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Setting: Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Participants: Patients younger than 65 years old (pediatric and non-elderly adults).

Interventions: Perioperative use of corticosteroids versus placebo or standard care.

Measurements and main results: Two independent investigators searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from inception to January 20, 2024. The primary outcome was mortality at the longest follow-up available. Secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury, atrial fibrillation, myocardial injury, cerebrovascular events, and infections. Our search strategy identified a total of 17 randomized trials involving 6,598 patients. Mortality was significantly reduced in the corticosteroid group (78/3321 [2.3%] vs. 116/3277 [3.5%]; risk ratio = 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.52 to 0.92; P = 0.01; I2 = 0%; NNT = 91). Moreover, the highest postoperative vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) was significantly lower in corticosteroid group (MD: -2.07, 95% CI -3.69 to -0.45, P = 0.01, I2 = 0%). No significant differences in secondary outcomes between the two treatment groups were recorded.

Conclusions: This meta-analysis of randomized trials highlights the potential benefits of corticosteroids on survival in cardiac surgery for patients younger than 65 years old.