Cardiopulmonary bypass-assisted surgery initiates a systemic inflammatory response induced by extrinsic (e.g. anesthesia, contact activation within the extracorporeal circuit, endotoxemia) and intrinsic (e.g. tissue damage, endothelial cell activation, ischemia-reperfusion injury of myocardium) factors. This may either be mild or lead to a more severe clinical condition. Inflammation after pediatric open heart surgery is a parameter affecting also duration of mechanical ventilatory support. Dexmedetomidine use was associated with a reduced increase in plasma IL-1, IL-6, TNF-a, and INF-g levels

Dexmedetomidine will be used during Cardiopulmonary bypass-assisted surgery for pediatric cardiac surgery

Inclusion Elective repair of congenital heart disease with cardiopulmonary bypass Exclusion Reintervention surgery requirement for blood products from the start of CPB, preoperative intake of corticosteroids, deep hypothermia, those with preoperative low cardiac output, those with non-palpable peripheral pulses before surgery (e.g., accompanying coarctation of the aorta) or ischemic time during cardiopulmonary bypass more than 90 minutes