Adenotonsillectomy in Children Leads to Reduced Heart Rate and Cardiac Output

A recent study published in Clinical Otolaryngology highlights significant cardiovascular changes in children following adenotonsillectomy, a common surgical procedure for treating adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) and obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB). Researchers from Portugal examined children aged 4 to 14 years and observed notable reductions in resting heart rate and estimated cardiac output (COEst) post-surgery. These findings suggest that removing enlarged tonsils and adenoids may positively influence the cardiovascular system by decreasing sympathetic activity associated with upper airway obstruction.

The study involved 90 children with an average age of approximately 6.9 years. Cardiovascular parameters measured before and after surgery included heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), weight, and COEst. Results showed significant decreases in heart rate and COEst after the procedure, whereas blood pressure readings remained unchanged. Interestingly, a negative correlation was found between age and the reduction in COEst, indicating younger children experienced more pronounced benefits.

The authors caution that the clinical importance of these reductions warrants further investigation. They hypothesize that the improvements may result from decreased sympathetic nervous system activity following the alleviation of upper airway obstruction, which can disrupt normal cardiovascular function. These findings could have implications for understanding how surgical intervention impacts pediatric cardiovascular health and warrants further exploration.

Source: [https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-adenotonsillectomy-decrease-heart-cardiac-output.html]