Pediatric cardiology
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Pediatric cardiology · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyMidterm survival of infants requiring postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after Norwood palliation.
This study reports the mid-term survival for neonates undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after Norwood palliation at a single center. Limited data exist on the mid-term survival of patients undergoing ECMO after Norwood palliation. We reviewed our ECMO experience from July 1994 to October 2008 and compared two groups: patients who required ECMO after Norwood palliation and patients who underwent Norwood palliation without ECMO. ⋯ Of the original Norwood/ECMO hospital survivors, only half of these patients survived a mean of nearly 4 years. ECMO after Norwood palliation is associated with significant mortality. Our data suggest that neonates who require ECMO after Norwood palliation are prone to continued attrition once discharged from the hospital.
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Pediatric cardiology · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyTissue Doppler imaging detects impaired biventricular performance shortly after congenital heart defect surgery.
Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with the development of a systemic inflammatory response, which can lead to myocardial damage. However, knowledge concerning the time course of ventricular performance deterioration and restoration after correction of a congenital heart defect (CHD) in pediatric patients is sparse. Therefore, the authors perioperatively quantified left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) performance using echocardiography. ⋯ In conclusion, both systolic and diastolic biventricular performances were impaired shortly after CHD correction. This impairment was detected only by TDI parameters and TAPSE. Furthermore, a longer-lasting negative influence of cardiopulmonary bypass on myocardial performance was suggested.
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Pediatric cardiology · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyPrenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease and birth outcomes.
This study was undertaken to examine the impact that prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) has on birth and early neonatal outcomes. The prevalence of prenatally diagnosed CHD has risen over the past decade, but the effect that prenatal diagnosis of CHD has on peripartum decisions remains unclear. No consensus exists on the effect of prenatal diagnosis on neonatal outcomes. ⋯ Prenatal diagnosis did not have an impact on preoperative or predischarge mortality. Prenatal diagnosis was associated with increased odds of a scheduled delivery, birth before a gestational age of 39 weeks, and a decreased need for invasive respiratory support. Prenatal diagnosis of CHD was not associated with preoperative or predischarge mortality.
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Pediatric cardiology · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyEffective radiation dose in computed tomographic angiography of the chest and diagnostic cardiac catheterization in pediatric patients.
Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and cardiac catheterization are useful adjuncts to echocardiography for delineating cardiovascular anatomy in pediatric patients. These studies require ionizing radiation, and it is paramount to understand the amount of radiation pediatric patients receive when these tests are performed. Modern dosimetry methods facilitate the conversion of radiation doses of varying units into an effective radiation dose. ⋯ The median ED for children <1 year of age in the CTA group was 0.76 mSv compared with 13.4 mSv for the catheterization group (p < 0.0001). Nongated CTA of the chest exposes children to 15 times less radiation than diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Unless hemodynamic data are necessary, CTA of the chest should be considered in lieu of diagnostic cardiac catheterization in patients with known or presumed cardiac disease who need additional imaging beyond echocardiography.
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Pediatric cardiology · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyProspective assessment of novice learners in a simulation-based extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) education program.
This study aimed to assess the impact of integrating a simulation-based education module into an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) curriculum on novice learners and to test the duration of time that skills obtained during this training exercise were retained. The authors hypothesized that multidisciplinary, simulation-based ECMO training would improve comfort and confidence levels among participants. An ECMO training curriculum was developed that incorporated in situ simulation modules to train multidisciplinary health care professionals involved in the management of patients receiving ECMO in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU). ⋯ All four questionnaires were completed by 18 participants. Simulation-based training is an effective method of improving knowledge, ability, and confidence levels among novice ECMO specialists and physician trainees. Further research is needed to assess real-time demonstration of skills retention during ECMO emergencies.