Background: Apoptosis is a physiological programmed cell death necessary for   development and cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of apoptosis pathways leads to a number of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune and immunodeficiency diseases, and neuro-degenerative disorders.  

Patients and methods: The current study included 56 patients (29 males and 27 females), undergoing corrective heart surgery operations, categorized into 3 groups: group A included 23 patients with atrial septal defect (ASD); group B included 15 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD); and group C included 15 patients with fallot tetralogy. Biochemical assays of apoptotic (P53  and caspase 3) and antiapoptotic markers (Bcl-2) using  colorimetric and ELISA assay kits were performed to all included patients twice, preoperative and 24 hours postoperative.

 Results: No statistical significant difference was found in the preoperative levels of Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and P53 between the three groups. While significant difference was found when comparing the preoperative and postoperative levels of the previous markers in the same group and between groups (p˂0.05 for all).

Conclusion: Both apoptotic and antiapoptotic pathways are activated during congenital heart corrective surgeries. Degree of markers increase is directly related to duration of anesthesia exposure.