Effectiveness and safety of paediatric interventional cardiac catheterisation in a subregional cardiothoracic unit

ABSTRACT

To assess the effectiveness and safety of padiatric interventional cardiac catheterisation during the development of the service. Sub-regional Paediatric cardiothoracic Centre. All paediatric admissions of cardiac catheterisation between January, 1985 and December, 1992. Data were collected on all patients in whom interventional cardiac catheterization was performed excluding babies undergoing balloon atrial septostomy. Results were compared with those reported previously by the larger centers. One hundred and seventy eight interventional procedures were performed in 158 patients, progressing form pulmonary valvuloplasty [1985] and aortic valvuloplasty [1986] to arterial duct occlusion and coit embolisation of shunts [1991]. During the study period there was a rise in the number and variety of conditions for which interventional cardiac catheterisation was performed. In terms of morbidity, mortality and technical success, results compared favourably with those published from larger centers. Interventional cardiac catheterisation in children can be established effectively and safely in a relatively smaller set up