The efficacy and safety of interventional cardiac catheterization in children during early post operative period after cardiac surgery

Abstract EN

Interventional cardiac catheterization in children is important and generally considered as a safe tool in the management of congenital heart diseases.

Evolution over time has lead to its extended application in post-operative patients after cardiac surgery.

This report presents an experience of forty-three procedures conducted on thirty-five children during an immediate post-operative period after cardiac surgery.

Thirty patients survived (five patients died due to non-cardiac causes) who underwent 37 procedures.

Twenty-seven patients (34 procedures) were successfully weaned off the ventilator, while three patients (3 procedures) were weaned off the cardio-pulmonary support.

Out of the 37 procedures, twenty-seven proved effective and nine proved partially effective, as additional surgical interventions such as plication of diaphragm and/or tracheostomy were also required.

All, but one procedure rated successful.

The stenoses/obstructions in synthetic conduits or natural vasculatures were dilated successfully; residual shunts were either effectively occluded, or minimized to an insignificant level.

Balloon dilatation of a blocked Blalock Taussig Shunt in one patient was unsuccessful and a re-insertion of another shunt was performed.

It has concluded that under controlled conditions, transcatheter intervention during immediate post-operative period is safe and effective.

Surgical and anesthesia backup should be readily available in case a situation arises.