Anesthesia-Related Cardiac Arrest in Children with Heart Disease

Causes of Perioperative Cardiac Arrest: Mnemonic, Classification, Monitoring, and Actions

Perioperative cardiac arrest (POCA) is a catastrophic complication that requires immediate recognition and correction of the underlying cause to improve patient outcomes. While the hypoxia, hypovolemia, hydrogen ions (acidosis), hypo-/hyperkalemia, and hypothermia (Hs) and toxins, tamponade (cardiac), tension pneumothorax, thrombosis (pulmonary), and thrombosis (coronary) (Ts) mnemonic is a valuable tool for rapid differential diagnosis, it does not cover all possible causes leading to POCA. To address this limitation, we propose using the preload-contractility-afterload-rate and rhythm (PCARR) construct to categorize POCA, which is comprehensive, systemic, and physiologically logical. We provide evidence for each component in the PCARR construct and emphasize that it complements the Hs and Ts mnemonic rather than replacing it. Furthermore, we discuss the significance of utilizing monitored variables such as electrocardiography, pulse oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and blood pressure to identify clues to the underlying cause of POCA. To aid in investigating POCA causes, we suggest the Anesthetic care, Surgery, Echocardiography, Relevant Check and History (A-SERCH) list of actions. We recommend combining the Hs and Ts mnemonic, the PCARR construct, monitoring, and the A-SERCH list of actions in a rational manner to investigate POCA causes. These proposals require real-world testing to assess their feasibility.

Global neonatal perioperative mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

There are large differences in health care among countries. A higher perioperative mortality rate (POMR) in neonates than in older children and adults has been recognized worldwide. The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review of published 24-h and 30-day POMRs in neonates from 2011 to 2022 in countries with different Human Development Index (HDI) levels.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A systematic review with a meta-analysis of studies that reported 24-h and 30-day POMRs in neonates was performed. We searched the databases from January 2011 to July 30, 2022.

MEASUREMENTS

The POMRs (per 10,000 procedures under anesthesia) were analyzed according to country HDI. The HDI levels ranged from 0 to 1, representing the lowest and highest levels, respectively (very-high-HDI: ≥ 0.800, high-HDI: 0.700-0.799, medium-HDI: 0.550-0.699, and low-HDI: < 0.550). The magnitude of the POMRs by country HDI was studied using meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Eighteen studies from 45 countries were included. The 24-h (n = 96 deaths) and 30-day (n = 459 deaths) POMRs were analyzed from 33,729 anesthetic procedures. The odds ratios (ORs) of the 24-h POMR in low-HDI countries were higher than those in very-high- (OR 8.4, 95% CI 1.7-40.4; p = 0.008), high- (OR 7.3, 95% CI 2.2-24.4; p = 0.001) and medium-HDI countries (OR 7.7, 95% CI 3.1-18.7; p < 0.0001) but with no odds differences between very-high- and high-HDI countries (p = 0.879), very-high- and medium-HDI countries (p = 0.915) and high- and medium-HDI countries (p = 0.689). The odds of a 30-day POMR in low-HDI countries were higher than those in very-high-HDI countries (OR 6.9, 95% CI 1.9-24.6; p = 0.002) but not in high-HDI countries (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.6-3.0; p = 0.396).

CONCLUSIONS

The review demonstrated very high global POMRs in a surgical population of neonates independent of the country HDI level. We identified differences in 24-h and 30-day POMRs between low-HDI countries and other countries with higher HDI levels.

A systematic review on safety and surgical and anesthetic risks of elective abdominal laparoscopic surgery in infants to guide laparoscopic ovarian tissue harvest for fertility preservation for infants facing gonadotoxic treatment

Background

Infertility is an important late effect of childhood cancer treatment. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is established as a safe procedure to preserve gonadal tissue in (pre)pubertal girls with cancer at high risk for infertility. However, it is unclear whether elective laparoscopic OTC can also be performed safely in infants <1 year with cancer. This systematic review aims to evaluate the reported risks in infants undergoing elective laparoscopy regarding mortality, and/or critical events (including resuscitation, circulatory, respiratory, neurotoxic, other) during and shortly after surgery.

Methods

This systematic review followed the Preferred reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. A systematic literature search in the databases Pubmed and EMbase was performed and updated on February 15th, 2023. Search terms included 'infants', 'intubation', 'laparoscopy', 'mortality', 'critical events', 'comorbidities' and their synonyms. Papers published in English since 2000 and describing at least 50 patients under the age of 1 year undergoing laparoscopic surgery were included. Articles were excluded when the majority of patients had congenital abnormalities. Quality of the studies was assessed using the QUIPS risk of bias tool.

Results

The Pubmed and Embase databases yielded a total of 12,401 unique articles, which after screening on title and abstract resulted in 471 articles to be selected for full text screening. Ten articles met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review, which included 1778 infants <1 years undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery. Mortality occurred once (death not surgery-related), resuscitation in none and critical events in 53/1778 of the procedures.

Conclusion

The results from this review illustrate that morbidity and mortality in infants without extensive comorbidities during and just after elective laparoscopic procedures seem limited, indicating that the advantages of performing elective laparoscopic OTC for infants with cancer at high risk of gonadal damage may outweigh the anesthetic and surgical risks of laparoscopic surgery in this age group.

An update on the mechanisms and risk factors for anesthesia-related cardiac arrest in children: a narrative review

The relation between surgery and anesthesia safety in children and a country's Human Development Index (HDI) value has been described previously. The aim of this narrative review was to provide an update on the mechanisms and risk factors of Anesthesia-Related Cardiac Arrest (ARCA) in pediatric surgical patients in countries with different HDI values and over time (pre-2001 vs. 2001‒2024). Electronic databases were searched up to March 2024 for studies reporting ARCA events in children. HDI values range from 0 to 1 (very-high-HDI countries: ≥ 0.800, high-HDI countries: 0.700‒0.799, medium-HDI countries: 0.550‒0.699, and low-HDI countries: < 0.550). Independent of time, the proportion of children who suffered perioperative Cardiac Arrest (CA) attributed to anesthesia-related causes was higher in very-high-HDI countries (50%) than in countries with HDI values less than 0.8 (15‒36%), but ARCA rates were higher in countries with HDI values less than 0.8 than in very-high-HDI countries. Regardless of the HDI value, medication-related factors were the most common mechanism causing ARCA before 2001, while cardiovascular-related factors, mainly hypovolemia, and respiratory-related factors, including difficulty maintaining patent airways and adequate ventilation, were the major mechanisms in the present century. Independent of HDI value and time, a higher number of ARCA events occurred in children with heart disease and/or a history of cardiac surgery, those aged younger than one year, those with ASA physical status III‒V, and those who underwent emergency surgery. Many ARCA events were determined to be preventable. The implementation of specialized pediatric anesthesiology and training programs is crucial for anesthesia safety in children.

Airway management of postburn neck contracture in pediatric patient - A challenge for anesthesiologist!

Pediatric difficult airway management is more challenging for an anesthesiologist due to anatomical and physiological differences as compared to adults. Moreover, the familiarity with the use of difficult airway equipment in adults does not equate to proficiency for the same in children. So, here we are presenting the management of a unique case of a difficult airway due to postburn neck contracture in a 4-year-old child, which was managed successfully with the help of a video laryngoscope after the failure attempt with a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope.

A single institution anesthetic experience with catheterization of pediatric pulmonary hypertension patients

Cardiac catheterization remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and management of pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH). There is lack of consensus regarding optimal anesthetic and airway regimen. This retrospective study describes the anesthetic/airway experience of our single center cohort of pediatric PH patients undergoing catheterization, in which obtaining hemodynamic data during spontaneous breathing is preferential. A total of 448 catheterizations were performed in 232 patients. Of the 379 cases that began with a natural airway, 274 (72%) completed the procedure without an invasive airway, 90 (24%) received a planned invasive airway, and 15 (4%) required an unplanned invasive airway. Median age was 3.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.7-9.7); the majority were either Nice Classification Group 1 (48%) or Group 3 (42%). Vasoactive medications and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were required in 14 (3.7%) and eight (2.1%) cases, respectively; there was one death. Characteristics associated with use of an invasive airway included age <1 year, Group 3, congenital heart disease, trisomy 21, prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, WHO functional class III/IV, no PH therapy at time of case, preoperative respiratory support, and having had an intervention (p < 0.05). A composite predictor of age <1 year, Group 3, prematurity, and any preoperative respiratory support was significantly associated with unplanned airway escalation (26.7% vs. 6.9%, odds ratio: 4.9, confidence interval: 1.4-17.0). This approach appears safe, with serious adverse event rates similar to previous reports despite the predominant use of natural airways. However, research is needed to further investigate the optimal anesthetic regimen and respiratory support for pediatric PH patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

State of the Art in Pediatric Anesthesia: A Narrative Review about the Use of Preoperative Time

This review delves into the challenge of pediatric anesthesia, underscoring the necessity for tailored perioperative approaches due to children's distinctive anatomical and physiological characteristics. Because of the vulnerability of pediatric patients to critical incidents during anesthesia, provider skills are of primary importance. Yet, almost equal importance must be granted to the adoption of a careful preanesthetic mindset toward patients and their families that recognizes the interwoven relationship between children and parents. In this paper, the preoperative evaluation process is thoroughly examined, from the first interaction with the child to the operating day. This evaluation process includes a detailed exploration of the medical history of the patient, physical examination, optimization of preoperative therapy, and adherence to updated fasting management guidelines. This process extends to considering pharmacological or drug-free premedication, focusing on the importance of preanesthesia re-evaluation. Structural resources play a critical role in pediatric anesthesia; components of this role include emphasizing the creation of child-friendly environments and ensuring appropriate support facilities. The results of this paper support the need for standardized protocols and guidelines and encourage the centralization of practices to enhance clinical efficacy.

Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction in Congenital Heart Disease: The Role of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography in Surgical Decision Making

Patients with many forms of congenital heart disease (CHD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergo surgical intervention to relieve left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (CCT) defines the complex pathway from the ventricle to the outflow tract and can be visualized in 2D, 3D, and 4D (3D in motion) to help define the mechanism and physiologic significance of obstruction. Advanced cardiac visualization may aid in surgical planning to relieve obstruction in the left ventricular outflow tract, aortic or neo-aortic valve and the supravalvular space. CCT scanner technology has advanced to achieve submillimeter, isotropic spatial resolution, temporal resolution as low as 66 msec allowing high-resolution imaging even at the fast heart rates and small cardiac structures of pediatric patients ECG gating techniques allow radiation exposure to be targeted to a minimal portion of the cardiac cycle for anatomic imaging, and pulse modulation allows cine imaging with a fraction of radiation given during most of the cardiac cycle, thus reducing radiation dose. Scanning is performed in a single heartbeat or breath hold, minimizing the need for anesthesia or sedation, for which CHD patents are highest risk for an adverse event. Examples of visualization of complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in the subaortic, valvar and supravalvular space will be highlighted, illustrating the novel applications of CCT in this patient subset.

Predictors and outcomes of perioperative cardiac arrest in children undergoing noncardiac surgery

Background

Perioperative cardiac arrest continues to occur. This study aims to identify risk factors for perioperative cardiac arrest in children presenting for noncardiac surgery and characterise its outcomes.

Methods

Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric Database 2019 and 2020, 261 276 patients were included. Patients ≥18 yr and cardiac surgical procedures were excluded. Exploratory multivariable analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of perioperative cardiac arrest and associated outcomes.

Results

The overall rate of cardiac arrest was 0.1%, with an intraoperative rate of 0.05% and 48-h postoperative rate of 0.06%. Significant risk factors for perioperative cardiac arrest included age <12 months (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 3.07, P<0.001), American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status classification (ASA-PS 3 aOR=2.57, P<0.001; ASA-PS 4 aOR=5.27, P<0.001; ASA-PS 5 aOR=13.1, P<0.001), admission through the emergency room (aOR 1.7, P=0.003), inpatient (aOR 2.19, P=0.008), major and severe cardiac disease (aOR 1.58, P=0.008), impaired cognitive status (aOR 1.54, P=0.009), and longer anaesthesia duration (aOR 1.1 per 30 min, P<0.001). Perioperative cardiac arrest was significantly associated with longer hospital length of stay, reoperation, differences in discharge destination, and 30-day mortality. In addition, patients experiencing postoperative cardiac arrest had a significantly higher rate of in-hospital and 30-day mortality than those experiencing intraoperative cardiac arrest.

Conclusions

The incidence of cardiac arrest in this study is higher than previously reported. This may be related to selection bias and the rigorous data collection required by NSQIP. Lower 30-day mortality after intraoperative cardiac arrest could be related to prompt recognition and rapid initiation of intraoperative resuscitation. Identification of perioperative risk factors for cardiac arrest is crucial to improve the safety and quality of patient care.

Recommendations for centers performing pediatric heart surgery in the United States

Care and outcomes for the more than 40,000 patients undergoing pediatric and congenital heart surgery in the United States annually are known to vary widely. While consensus recommendations have been published across numerous fields as one mechanism to promote a high level of care delivery across centers, it has been more than two decades since the last pediatric heart surgery recommendations were published in the United States. More recent guidance is lacking, and collaborative efforts involving the many disciplines engaged in caring for these children have not been undertaken to date. The present initiative brings together professional societies spanning numerous care domains and congenital cardiac surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, nursing, and other healthcare professionals from diverse programs around the country to develop consensus recommendations for United States centers. The focus of this initial work is on pediatric heart surgery, and it is recommended that future efforts focus in detail on the adult congenital population. We describe the background, rationale, and methodology related to this collaborative effort, and recommendations put forth for Essential Care Centers (essential services necessary for any program), and Comprehensive Care Centers (services to optimize comprehensive and high-complexity care), encompassing structure, process, and outcome metrics across 14 domains.

Recommendations for Centers Performing Pediatric Heart Surgery in the United States

Care and outcomes for the more than 40,000 patients undergoing pediatric and congenital heart surgery in the United States annually are known to vary widely. While consensus recommendations have been published across numerous fields as one mechanism to promote a high level of care delivery across centers, it has been more than two decades since the last pediatric heart surgery recommendations were published in the United States. More recent guidance is lacking, and collaborative efforts involving the many disciplines engaged in caring for these children have not been undertaken to date. The present initiative brings together professional societies spanning numerous care domains and congenital cardiac surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, nursing, and other healthcare professionals from diverse programs around the country to develop consensus recommendations for United States centers. The focus of this initial work is on pediatric heart surgery, and it is recommended that future efforts focus in detail on the adult congenital population. We describe the background, rationale, and methodology related to this collaborative effort, and recommendations put forth for Essential Care Centers (essential services necessary for any program), and Comprehensive Care Centers (services to optimize comprehensive and high-complexity care), encompassing structure, process, and outcome metrics across 14 domains.

Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in pediatric patients with cardiac disease: a narrative review

Children with cardiac disease are at a higher risk of cardiac arrest as compared to healthy children. Delivering adequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be challenging due to anatomic characteristics, risk profiles, and physiologies. We aimed to review the physiological aspects of resuscitation in different cardiac physiologies, summarize the current recommendations, provide un update of current literature, and highlight knowledge gaps to guide research efforts. We specifically reviewed current knowledge on resuscitation strategies for high-risk categories of patients including patients with single-ventricle physiology, right-sided lesions, right ventricle restrictive physiology, left-sided lesions, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and arrhythmias. Cardiac arrest occurs in about 1% of hospitalized children with cardiac disease, and in 5% of those admitted to an intensive care unit. Mortality after cardiac arrest in this population remains high, ranging from 30 to 65%. The neurologic outcome varies widely among studies, with a favorable neurologic outcome at discharge observed in 64%-95% of the survivors. Risk factors for cardiac arrest and associated mortality include younger age, lower weight, prematurity, genetic syndrome, single-ventricle physiology, arrhythmias, pulmonary arterial hypertension, comorbidities, mechanical ventilation preceding cardiac arrest, surgical complexity, higher vasoactive-inotropic score, and factors related to resources and institutional characteristics. Recent data suggest that Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation CPR (ECPR) may be a valid strategy in centers with expertise. Overall, knowledge on resuscitation strategies based on physiology remains limited, with a crucial need for further research in this field. Collaborative and interprofessional studies are highly needed to improve care and outcomes for this high-risk population. What is Known: • Children with cardiac disease are at high risk of cardiac arrest, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation may be challenging due to unique characteristics and different physiologies. • Mortality after cardiac arrest remains high and neurologic outcomes suboptimal. What is New: • We reviewed the unique resuscitation challenges, current knowledge, and recommendations for different cardiac physiologies. • We highlighted knowledge gaps to guide research efforts aimed to improve care and outcomes in this high-risk population.

A prospective comparison of invasive and non-invasive blood pressure in children undergoing cardiac catheterization

BACKGROUND

Blood pressure measurement is a standard of monitoring during general anesthesia. Invasive measurement is considered the gold standard but is less commonly used than non-invasive. Automated oscillometric blood pressure devices measure the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and use an algorithm to determine the systolic and diastolic pressures. Few devices have been validated in children, particularly during anesthesia. Few studies have assessed the agreement between invasive and non-invasive blood pressure measurements in children.

METHODS

This was a multi-center prospective observational study of children under 16 years undergoing cardiac catheterization with general anesthesia. Paired invasive and non-invasive blood pressure measurements were recorded for each patient during stable periods of the procedure. Correlation within and between sites was assessed with Pearson's correlation coefficient, and agreement was examined using Bland-Altman methodology to determine bias. Agreement during episodes of hypotension and for age and weight was also determined. Bias greater than 5 mmHg and standard deviation greater than 8 mmHg was considered clinically significant. The primary end point was agreement of MAP measurements.

RESULTS

A total of 683 paired blood pressure values were collected from 254 children in three pediatric hospitals. Median [IQR] age and weight were 3 [1-7] years and 13.9 [8-23] Kg. The overall bias (SD) for mean arterial pressure values was 7.2 (11.4) mmHg. During hypotension (190 readings), the bias (SD) was 15 (11.0) mmHg. The non-invasive MAP was frequently higher than invasive MAP during infancy, and lower in older children.

CONCLUSION

Automated oscillometric blood pressure measurement is unreliable in anesthetized children during cardiac catheterization. Invasive pressure measurement should be considered for high-risk cases.

Recommendations for Centers Performing Pediatric Heart Surgery in the United States

Care and outcomes for the more than 40,000 patients undergoing pediatric and congenital heart surgery in the United States annually are known to vary widely. While consensus recommendations have been published across numerous fields as one mechanism to promote a high level of care delivery across centers, it has been more than two decades since the last pediatric heart surgery recommendations were published in the United States. More recent guidance is lacking, and collaborative efforts involving the many disciplines engaged in caring for these children have not been undertaken to date. The present initiative brings together professional societies spanning numerous care domains and congenital cardiac surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, nursing, and other healthcare professionals from diverse programs around the country to develop consensus recommendations for United States centers. The focus of this initial work is on pediatric heart surgery, and it is recommended that future efforts focus in detail on the adult congenital population. We describe the background, rationale, and methodology related to this collaborative effort, and recommendations put forth for Essential Care Centers (essential services necessary for any program), and Comprehensive Care Centers (services to optimize comprehensive and high-complexity care), encompassing structure, process, and outcome metrics across 14 domains.

Incidences and outcomes of intra-operative vs. postoperative paediatric cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study of 42 776 anaesthetics in children who underwent noncardiac surgery in a Thai tertiary care hospital

BACKGROUND

The reported incidence of paediatric perioperative cardiac arrest (PPOCA) in most developing countries ranges from 2.7 to 22.9 per 10 000 anaesthetics, resulting in mortality rates of 2.0 to 10.7 per 10 000 anaesthetics. The definitions of 'peri-operative' cardiac arrest often include the intra-operative period and extends from 60 min to 48 h after anaesthesia completion. However, the characteristics of cardiac arrests, care settings, and resuscitation quality may differ between intra-operative and early postoperative cardiac arrests.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the mortality rates between intraoperative and early postoperative cardiac arrests (<24 h) following anaesthesia for paediatric noncardiac surgery.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

In a tertiary care centre in Thailand during 2014 to 2019, the peri-operative period was defined as from the beginning of anaesthesia care until 24 h after anaesthesia completion.

PATIENTS

Paediatric patients aged 0 to 17 years who underwent anaesthesia for noncardiac surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Mortality rates.

RESULTS

A total of 42 776 anaesthetics were identified, with 63 PPOCAs and 23 deaths (36.5%). The incidence (95% confidence interval) of PPOCAs and mortality were 14.7 (11.5 to 18.8) and 5.4 (3.6 to 8.1) per 10 000 anaesthetics, respectively. Among 63 PPOCAs, 41 (65%) and 22 (35%) occurred during the intra-operative and postoperative periods, respectively. The median [min to max] time of postoperative cardiac arrest was 3.84 [0.05 to 19.47] h after anaesthesia completion. Mortalities (mortality rate) of postoperative cardiac arrest were significantly higher than that of intra-operative cardiac arrest at 14 (63.6%) vs. 9 (22.0%, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis of risk factors for mortality included emergency status and duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with adjusted odds ratio 5.388 (95% confidence interval (1.031 to 28.160) and 1.067 (1.016 to 1.120).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative cardiac arrest resulted in a higher mortality rate than intra-operative cardiac arrest. A high level of care should be provided for at least 24 h after the completion of anaesthesia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

None.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER AND REGISTRY URL

NA.

Investigating the scope and costs of dental treatment provided under general anaesthesia among children with congenital heart disease

AIM

To identify the types of dental treatment provided under general anaesthesia for children diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD), quantify the costs within a publicly funded tertiary paediatric hospital setting and identify factors which affect the cost.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of dental records (July 2015 to June 2019) was conducted for children with CHD who had undergone a dental general anaesthetic procedure at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Australia. Patient and treatment-related information were collected, and a costing analysis was performed on 89 dental general anaesthetic procedures.

RESULTS

Mean age at the time of the general anaesthetic was 8.15 years. About 27% of children with CHD had a history of dental infection. Dental extractions and restorations comprised the majority of treatments provided, with extractions performed in 86% of procedures. The mean number of days in hospital was 1.43 and the mean cost was $4395.14. The cost was significantly greater when children presented with a facial swelling compared to any other reason.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental extractions are performed in the majority of general anaesthetics. Not only is there an economic burden to the public health system in providing dental treatment under general anaesthesia for children with CHD, the health impacts also appear to be substantial. A considerable proportion required overnight hospitalisation and days in hospital was strongly related to the cost of the dental general anaesthetic. Systematic referral pathways for accessing dental care are an important consideration for children with CHD.

Perioperative Risk Assessment in Children With Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Noncardiac Procedures

OBJECTIVES

To risk-stratify children with congenital heart disease undergoing noncardiac surgery or diagnostic procedures for perioperative cardiopulmonary complications using the authors' established institutional guidelines.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

The study was conducted in an academic, tertiary-care children's hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1,005 children, from birth to 19 years of age with a diagnosis of congenital heart disease, who underwent a noncardiac surgery or diagnostic procedure from January 2017 to December 2018, were included in the study.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The incidence of a severe perioperative complication, defined as a perioperative cardiac arrest or death within 30 days of the procedure, was 1.6%. Age, an emergent surgery/procedure, a preoperative renal abnormality, preoperative mechanical ventilation, and a preoperative pericardial effusion were significant for severe perioperative complications, in the multivariate analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for severe complications was 0.936. However, the area under the curve for moderate perioperative complications was 0.679, in which moderate complications were defined as (1) an escalation in anticipated postoperative disposition (from planned disposition), (2) an escalation in postoperative disposition (from preoperative location), (3) an escalation of preoperative airway support, (4) an administration of any intraoperative vasoactive medication/infusion, (5) a noncardiac surgery reoperation within 30 days of the procedure (if related to the primary procedure or change in physiology), or (6) unplanned readmission with 24 hours of the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

A robust model for severe perioperative complications was developed within the authors' institutional clinical guidelines, identifying 5 predictors for perioperative cardiac arrest or death. The usual markers of critical illness were not found to be predictive of a moderate perioperative complication, regardless of the level of anesthesiologist training, suggesting that many of these children with congenital heart disease undergoing noncardiac procedures can be treated by a general pediatric anesthesiologist rather than a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist within an institution that has or can establish clinical guidelines for these children.

Neonatal perioperative resuscitation (NePOR) protocol-An update

Unexpected cardiac arrest in the perioperative period is a devastating complication. Owing to immaturity of organ systems, and presence of congenital malformations, morbidity and mortality are higher in neonates. There is abundant literature about early recognition and management of perioperative adverse events in children, but similar data and guidelines for surgical neonates is lacking. The current neonatal resuscitation guidelines cater to a newborn requiring resuscitation at the time of birth in the delivery room. The concerns in a newborn undergoing transition from intrauterine to extra uterine life is significantly different from a neonate undergoing surgery. This review highlights the causes and factors responsible for peri-arrest situations in neonates in the perioperative period, suggests preoperative surveillance for prevention of these conditions, and finally presents the resuscitation protocol of the surgical neonate. All these are comprehensively proposed as Neonatal Peri-operative Resuscitation (NePOR) protocol.

Selected 2022 Highlights in Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia

This article is a review of the highlights of pertinent literature of interest to the congenital cardiac anesthesiologist, and was published in 2022. After a search of the United States National Library of Medicine PubMed database, several topics emerged in which significant contributions were made in 2022. The authors of this manuscript considered the following topics noteworthy to be included in this review-intensive care unit admission after congenital cardiac catheterization interventions, antifibrinolytics in pediatric cardiac surgery, the current status of the pediatric cardiac anesthesia workforce in the United States, and kidney injury and renal protection during congenital heart surgery.

How Does Cross-Sectional Imaging Impact the Management of Patients With Single Ventricle After Bidirectional Cavopulmonary Connection?

BACKGROUND

There is currently no consensus regarding the use of surveillance cross-sectional imaging in pediatric patients after bidirectional cavopulmonary connection (BDCPC). We sought to determine how computed tomography with angiography (CTA) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging impacted the clinical management of pediatric patients after BDCPC.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective study including patients with single ventricle who had BDCPC between 2010 and 2019, and CTA/CMR studies obtained in these patients, at ≤5 years of age, and with Glenn physiology. Repeat studies on the same patient were included if the clinical situation had changed. The impact of CTA/CMR studies was categorized as major, minor, or none.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients (63% male) and 30 imaging studies (22 CTAs) were included. 60% were obtained in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS); most common indication was Follow-up after an intervention (23%). 6 CMRs were performed on stable HLHS patients as part of a research protocol, with no clinical concerns. The overall impact of CTA/CMR studies was major in 13 cases (43.3%). CTA/CMR studies performed ≥1 year of age (62.5% vs 21.4%, P = .02) and in non-HLHS patients (66.7% vs 27.8%, P = .035) were associated with major impact. Also, 2/6 Research studies were associated with a major impact.

CONCLUSIONS

CTA/CMR imaging in pediatric patients with SV after BDCPC was associated with significant clinical impact in over 40% of cases, with a higher impact if obtained in patients ≥1 year of age and in non-HLHS patients. We cannot disregard the possibility of CMR as a surveillance imaging modality in this population.

A Consensus-Driven Revision of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Case Log System: Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship Education

BACKGROUND

Clinical experiences, quantified by case logs, are an integral part of pediatric anesthesiology fellowship programs. Accreditation of pediatric anesthesiology fellowships by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and establishment of case log reporting occurred in 1997 and 2009, respectively. The specialty has evolved since then, but the case log system remains largely unchanged. The Pediatric Anesthesiology Program Directors Association (PAPDA) embarked on the development of an evidence-based case log proposal through the efforts of a case log task force (CLTF). This proposal was part of a larger consensus-building process of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) Task Force for Pediatric Anesthesiology Graduate Medical Education. The primary aim of case log revision was to propose an evidence-based, consensus-driven update to the pediatric anesthesiology case log system.

METHODS

This study was executed in 2 phases. The CLTF, composed of 10 program directors representing diverse pediatric anesthesiology fellowship programs across the country, utilized evidence-based literature to develop proposed new categories. After an approval vote by PAPDA membership, this proposal was included in the nationally representative, stakeholder-based Delphi process executed by the SPA Task Force on Graduate Medical Education. Thirty-seven participants engaged in this Delphi process, during which iterative rounds of surveys were used to select elements of the old and newly proposed case logs to create a final revision of categories and minimums for updated case logs. The Delphi methodology was used, with a two-thirds agreement as the threshold for inclusion.

RESULTS

Participation in the Delphi process was robust, and consensus was almost completely achieved by round 2 of 3 survey rounds. Participants suggested that total case minimums should increase from 240 to 300 (300-370). Participants agreed (75.86%) that the current case logs targeted the right types of cases, but requirements were too low (82.75%). They also agreed (85.19%) that the case log system and minimums deserved an update, and that this should be used as part of a competency-based assessment in pediatric anesthesia fellowships (96%). Participants supported new categories and provided recommended minimum numbers.

CONCLUSIONS

The pediatric anesthesiology case log system continues to have a place in the assessment of fellowship programs, but it requires an update. This Delphi process established broad support for new categories and benchmarked minimums to ensure the robustness of fellowship programs and to better prepare the pediatric anesthesiology workforce of the future for independent clinical practice.

Appropriateness of cardiovascular computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with conotruncal defects

BACKGROUND

To promote the rational use of cardiovascular imaging in patients with congenital heart disease, the American College of Cardiology developed Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC), but its clinical application and pre-release benchmarks have not been evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of indications for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) in patients with conotruncal defects and to identify factors associated with maybe or rarely appropriate (M/R) indications.

METHODS

Twelve centers each contributed a median of 147 studies performed prior to AUC publication (01/2020) on patients with conotruncal defects. To incorporate patient characteristics and center-level effects, a hierarchical generalized linear mixed model was used.

RESULTS

Of the 1753 studies (80% CMR, and 20% CCT), 16% were rated M/R. Center M/R ranged from 4 to 39%. Infants accounted for 8.4% of studies. In multivariable analyses, patient- and study-level factors associated with M/R rating included: age <1 year (OR 1.90 [1.15-3.13]), truncus arteriosus (vs. tetralogy of Fallot, OR 2.55 [1.5-4.35]), and CCT (vs. CMR, OR 2.67 [1.87-3.83]). None of the provider- or center-level factors reached statistical significance in the multivariable model.

CONCLUSIONS

Most CMRs and CCTs ordered for the follow-up care of patients with conotruncal defects were rated appropriate. However, there was significant center-level variation in appropriateness ratings. Younger age, CCT, and truncus arteriosus were independently associated with higher odds of M/R rating. These findings could inform future quality improvement initiatives and further exploration of factors resulting in center-level variation.

Machine learning-based prediction of intraoperative hypoxemia for pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

Reducing the duration of intraoperative hypoxemia in pediatric patients by means of rapid detection and early intervention is considered crucial by clinicians. We aimed to develop and validate a machine learning model that can predict intraoperative hypoxemia events 1 min ahead in children undergoing general anesthesia.

METHODS

This retrospective study used prospectively collected intraoperative vital signs and parameters from the anesthesia ventilator machine extracted every 2 s in pediatric patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia between January 2019 and October 2020 in a tertiary academic hospital. Intraoperative hypoxemia was defined as oxygen saturation <95% at any point during surgery. Three common machine learning techniques were employed to develop models using the training dataset: gradient-boosting machine (GBM), long short-term memory (LSTM), and transformer. The performances of the models were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve using randomly assigned internal testing dataset. We also validated the developed models using temporal holdout dataset. Pediatric patient surgery cases between November 2020 and January 2021 were used. The performances of the models were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

RESULTS

In total, 1,540 (11.73%) patients with intraoperative hypoxemia out of 13,130 patients' records with 2,367 episodes were included for developing the model dataset. After model development, 200 (13.25%) of the 1,510 patients' records with 289 episodes were used for holdout validation. Among the models developed, the GBM had the highest AUROC of 0.904 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.902 to 0.906), which was significantly higher than that of the LSTM (0.843, 95% CI 0.840 to 0.846 P < .001) and the transformer model (0.885, 95% CI, 0.882-0.887, P < .001). In holdout validation, GBM also demonstrated best performance with an AUROC of 0.939 (95% CI 0.936 to 0.941) which was better than LSTM (0.904, 95% CI 0.900 to 0.907, P < .001) and the transformer model (0.929, 95% CI 0.926 to 0.932, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Machine learning models can be used to predict upcoming intraoperative hypoxemia in real-time based on the biosignals acquired by patient monitors, which can be useful for clinicians for prediction and proactive treatment of hypoxemia in an intraoperative setting.

[Airway Management in Paediatric Anaesthesia]

Due to their low reserves, hypoxia and cardiac arrest occur rapidly in children. The continuous securing of the airway as well as maintenance of oxygenation and ventilation are of prior importance in paediatric anaesthesia. For this purpose, bag-mask ventilation and the opening of the upper airway must be trained and mastered in particular. As the most important supraglottic device, the laryngeal mask has been evaluated for patients of all ages.

Anaesthesia related mortality data at a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital in Western Australia

BACKGROUND

Anaesthesia related mortality in paediatrics is rare. There are limited data describing paediatric anaesthesia related mortality. This study determined the anaesthesia related mortality at a Tertiary Paediatric Hospital in Western Australia.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of children under-18 years of age, that died within 30-days of undergoing anaesthesia at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), between 01 January 2001 and 31 March 2015. A senior panel of clinicians reviewed each death to determine whether the death was (i) due wholly to the provision of anaesthesia (ii) due partly to the provision of anaesthesia or (iii) if death was related to the underlying pathology of the patient and anaesthesia was not contributory. Anaesthesia related mortality, 24-h and 30-day mortality as well as predictors of mortality were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 154,538 anaesthetic events were recorded. There were 198 deaths within 30-days of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia attributable mortality was 0.19/10,000 with all anaesthesia deaths occuring in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. The 24-h and 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 3.43/10,000 (95% CI 2.57-4.49) and 9.38/10,000 (95% CI 7.92-11.04), respectively. Overall mortality was 12.34/10,000 (95% CI 11.09-14.73) Age less than 1-year, cardiac surgery, emergency surgery and higher ASA score were all significant predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric anaesthesia related mortality as reflected in this retrospective cohort study is uncommon. Significant risk factors were determined as predictors of mortality.

Automatic Prediction of Paediatric Cardiac Output From Echocardiograms Using Deep Learning Models

Background

Cardiac output (CO) perturbations are common and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Accurate CO assessment is crucial for guiding treatment in anaesthesia and critical care, but measurement is difficult, even for experts. Artificial intelligence methods show promise as alternatives for accurate, rapid CO assessment.

Methods

We reviewed paediatric echocardiograms with normal CO and a dilated cardiomyopathy patient group with reduced CO. Experts measured the left ventricular outflow tract diameter, velocity time integral, CO, and cardiac index (CI). EchoNet-Dynamic is a deep learning model for estimation of ejection fraction in adults. We modified this model to predict the left ventricular outflow tract diameter and retrained it on paediatric data. We developed a novel deep learning approach for velocity time integral estimation. The combined models enable automatic prediction of CO. We evaluated the models against expert measurements. Primary outcomes were root-mean-squared error, mean absolute error, mean average percentage error, and coefficient of determination (R2).

Results

In a test set unused during training, CI was estimated with the root-mean-squared error of 0.389 L/min/m2, mean absolute error of 0.321 L/min/m2, mean average percentage error of 10.8%, and R2 of 0.755. The Bland-Altman analysis showed that the models estimated CI with a bias of +0.14 L/min/m2 and 95% limits of agreement -0.58 to 0.86 L/min/m2.

Conclusions

Our model estimated CO with strong correlation to ground truth and a bias of 0.17 L/min, better than many CO measurements in paediatrics. Model pretraining enabled accurate estimation despite a small dataset. Potential uses include supporting clinicians in real-time bedside calculation of CO, identification of low-CO states, and treatment responses.

Perioperative Considerations for Pediatric Patients With Congenital Heart Disease Presenting for Noncardiac Procedures: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Continuous advances in pediatric cardiology, surgery, and critical care have significantly improved survival rates for children and adults with congenital heart disease. Paradoxically, the resulting increase in longevity has expanded the prevalence of both repaired and unrepaired congenital heart disease and has escalated the need for diagnostic and interventional procedures. Because of this expansion in prevalence, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, and other health care professionals increasingly encounter patients with congenital heart disease or other pediatric cardiac diseases who are presenting for surgical treatment of unrelated, noncardiac disease. Patients with congenital heart disease are at high risk for mortality, complications, and reoperation after noncardiac procedures. Rigorous study of risk factors and outcomes has identified subsets of patients with minor, major, and severe congenital heart disease who may have higher-than-baseline risk when undergoing noncardiac procedures, and this has led to the development of risk prediction scores specific to this population. This scientific statement reviews contemporary data on risk from noncardiac procedures, focusing on pediatric patients with congenital heart disease and describing current knowledge on the subject. This scientific statement also addresses preoperative evaluation and testing, perioperative considerations, and postoperative care in this unique patient population and highlights relevant aspects of the pathophysiology of selected conditions that can influence perioperative care and patient management.

Exploring Noncardiac Surgical Needs From Infancy to Adulthood in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

OBJECTIVES

As life expectancy for patients born with congenital heart disease (CHD) continues to rise, these patients will present increasingly for noncardiac surgery during childhood and adolescence. This study aimed to map the lifespan of noncardiac surgical needs among patients with CHD and explore how these needs may change over time.

DESIGN

All patients with CHD presenting for noncardiac surgery between 2008 and 2014 were selected for review.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a single urban academic tertiary pediatric hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients with CHD presenting for noncardiac surgery during the study period were included and grouped by cardiac diagnosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Descriptive analysis included patient demographics, CHD diagnosis, procedures performed, and clinical data, including baseline saturation and underlying cardiac function.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 3,011 noncardiac surgical procedures were performed on patients with CHD during the study period. The most common CHD diagnoses were patent ductus arteriosus (27.6%), ventricular septal defects (24.7%), and patent foramen ovale (24.3%). The median age was 4 years, 87% of all the patients were ≤10 years, and 41% had associated syndromes. Of the patients, 76% underwent a preoperative echocardiogram, and 10% had depressed cardiac function at the time of surgery. The most common procedures performed were ear, nose, and throat (20%), general surgery (14%), and radiology (11%). Intraoperative events were reported in 488 out of 3,010 encounters (16.2%), with the highest rates reported in patients with single-ventricle physiology (55/179; 30.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested a greater burden of noncardiac surgery in lower age groups, with ear, nose, and throat and general surgery most common in young children and orthopedic and dental procedures increasing in adolescence.

Risk factors for unplanned paediatric intensive care unit admission after anaesthesia—an international multicentre study

Objectives

Unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admissions are associated with near-miss events, morbidity, and mortality. We describe the rate, resource utilization, and outcomes of paediatric patients urgently admitted directly to ICU post-anaesthesia compared to other sources of unplanned ICU admissions.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis of data from specialist paediatric hospitals in 7 countries. Patients urgently admitted to the ICU post-anaesthesia were combined and matched with 1 to 3 unique controls from unplanned ICU admissions from other locations by age and hospital. Demographic, clinical, and outcome variables were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables and chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. The effect of admission sources on binary outcomes was estimated using univariable conditional logistic regression models with stratification by matched set of anaesthesia and non-anaesthesia admission sources.

Results

Most admissions were &lt;1 year of age and for respiratory reasons. Admissions post-anaesthesia were shorter, occurred later in the day, and were more likely to be mechanically ventilated. Admissions post-anaesthesia were less likely to have had a previous ICU admission (4.8% compared to 11%, P=0.032) or PIM ‘high-risk diagnosis’ (9.5% versus 17.2%, P=0.035) but there was no difference in the number of subsequent ICU admissions. There was no difference in the PIM severity of illness score and no mortality difference between the groups.

Conclusions

Young children and respiratory indications dominated unplanned ICU admissions post-anaesthesia, which was more likely later in the day and with mechanical ventilation.

Congenital Heart Defects in Patients with Classic Bladder Exstrophy: A Hitherto Neglected Association?

INTRODUCTION

 Classic bladder exstrophy (BE) is regarded as an isolated malformation without any further anomalies, but some studies have indicated a higher incidence of cardiac anomalies. This cross-sectional study is planned to evaluate the prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs) and the clinical relevance for patients with BE admitted for primary closure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 Patients were prospectively recruited between March 2012 and January 2019. Patients' profiles including demographic data, results of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), as well as essential peri- and postoperative data were assessed.

RESULTS

 Thirty-nine (25 boys and 14 girls) patients with BE (median age 61 days) underwent delayed primary bladder closure. Thirty-seven (24 boys and 13 girls) patients had received TTE 1 day before surgery. CHD was detected in 7 (18.9%) out of the 39 patients, but no clinical differences between patients with and without CHD were observed peri- or postoperatively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

 This prospective systematic evaluation shows an even higher rate of CHD in patients with BE than assumed previously. Although peri- and postoperative outcome did not differ between patients with and without CHD, we consider TTE an important additional method for ensuring a safe peri- and postoperative courses and a short- and long-term care for patients with CHD.

Variation in Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Practice Patterns and Associated Risks Prior to Superior Cavopulmonary Connection: A Multicenter Analysis

Single ventricle patients typically undergo some form of advanced diagnostic imaging prior to superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC). We sought to evaluate variability of diagnostic practice and associated comprehensive risk. A retrospective evaluation across 4 institutions was performed (1/1/2010-9/30/2016) comparing the primary modalities of cardiac catheterization (CC), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and cardiac computed tomography (CT). Associated risks included anesthesia/sedation, vascular access, total room time, contrast agent usage, radiation exposure, and adverse events (AEs). Of 617 patients undergoing SCPC, 409 (66%) underwent at least one advanced diagnostic imaging study in the 60 days prior to surgery. Seventy-eight of these patients (13%) were analyzed separately because of a concomitant cardiac intervention during CC. Of 331 (54%) with advanced imaging and without catheterization intervention, diagnostic CC was most common (59%), followed by CT (27%) and CMR (14%). Primary modality varied significantly by institution (p < 0.001). Median time between imaging and SCPC was 13 days (IQR 3-33). Anesthesia/sedation varied significantly (p < 0.001). Pre-procedural vascular access did not vary significantly across modalities (p = 0.111); procedural access varied between CMR/CT and CC, in which central access was used in all procedures. Effective radiation dose was significantly higher for CC than CT (p < 0.001). AE rate varied significantly, with 12% CC, 6% CMR, and 1% CT (p = 0.004). There is significant practice variability in the use of advanced diagnostic imaging prior to SCPC, with important differences in associated procedural risk. Future studies to identify differences in diagnostic accuracy and long-term outcomes are warranted to optimize diagnostic protocols.

Global mortality of children after perioperative cardiac arrest: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

Background

The body of evidence showed that perioperative cardiac arrest and mortality trends varied globally over time particularly in low and middle-income nations. However, the survival of children after cardiac arrest and its independent predictors are still uncertain and a topic of debate. This study was designed to investigate the mortality of children after a perioperative cardiac arrest based on a systematic review of published peer-reviewed literature.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/Medline; Science direct, CINHAL, and LILACS from December 2000 to August 2021. All observational studies reporting the rate of perioperative CA among children were included. The data were extracted with two independent authors in a customized format. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa appraisal tool.

Results

A total of 397 articles were identified from different databases. Thirty-eight studies with 3.35 million participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed that the global incidence of perioperative cardiac arrest was 2.54(95% CI: 2.23 to 2.84) per 1000 anesthetics. The global incidence of perioperative mortality was 41.18 (95% CI: 35.68 to 46.68) per 1000 anesthetics.

Conclusion

The incidence of anesthesia-related pediatric cardiac arrest and mortality is persistently high in the last twenty years in low and middle-income countries. This probes an investment in continuous medical education of the perioperative staff and adhering with the international standard operating protocols for common procedures and critical situations.

Registration

This systematic review and meta-analysis is registered in the research registry (UIN: researchregistry6932).

•

The incidence of anesthesia-related cardiac arrest and mortality is persistently high in low and middle-income countries.

•

The review also showed that anesthesia-related cardiac arrest was very high among younger children with congenital heart disease.

•

The overall perioperative cardiac arrest among children has decreased in the last 20 years in high-income countries.

•

The Meta-analysis strongly recommends continuous medical education of the perioperative staff, and adherence to the international standard operating protocols.

Anesthetic Management in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are a complex and growing population that presents numerous challenges for anesthetic management. This review summarizes special considerations for anesthetic management in ACHD.

RECENT FINDINGS

The adult patient with congenital heart disease may require anesthetic care for multiple surgeries and interventions throughout their lifetime. The cardiac and extracardiac manifestations of ACHD have important perioperative implications that affect anesthetic management. Recent American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology and European Society of Cardiology guidelines endorse a multidisciplinary, team-based approach to care. The cardiac anesthesiologist, endorsed as part of this multidisciplinary team, must have a thorough understanding of congenital heart disease pathophysiology and common extra-cardiac manifestations of ACHD. Safe anesthetic management in adult congenital heart disease should incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care. Anesthesiologists and centers with special expertise in ACHD care should be utilized or consulted whenever possible.

Anesthesia in Children With Pulmonary Hypertension: Clinically Significant Serious Adverse Events Associated With Cardiac Catheterization and Noncardiac Procedures

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of clinically significant serious adverse events in a contemporary population of pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension who require anesthesia and identify factors associated with adverse outcomes.

DESIGN

A retrospective, cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A single-center quaternary-care freestanding children's hospital in the northeastern United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension based on hemodynamic criteria on cardiac catheterization during a 3-year period from 2015 to 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

Anesthesia care for cardiac catheterization, noncardiac surgery, and diagnostic imaging.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Two hundred forty-nine children underwent 862 procedures, 592 for cardiac catheterization and 278 for noncardiac surgery and diagnostic imaging. The median age was 1.6 years, and the weight was 9.5 lbs. On index catheterization, median pulmonary artery pressure was 36 mmHg, and the pulmonary vascular resistance was 5.1 indexed Wood units. Ten percent of anesthetics were performed with a natural airway, and 80% used volatile anesthetics. Serious adverse events occurred in 26% of procedures (confidence interval [CI], 22%-30%). The rate of periprocedural cardiac arrest was 8 per 1,000 anesthetic administrations. In multivariate analysis, younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.4 per year; CI, 1.1-1.9; p = 0.01), location in the catheterization laboratory (aOR, 5.1; CI, 1.7-16; p = 0.004), and longer procedure duration (aOR, 1.3 per 30 minutes; CI, 1.1-1.4; p = 0.001) were associated with serious adverse events. Patients with a tracheostomy in place were less likely to experience an adverse event (aOR, 0.1; CI, 0.04-0.5; p = 0.001). The primary anesthetic technique was not associated with adverse events. Interventional cardiac catheterization was associated with an increased incidence of adverse events compared with diagnostic catheterization (42% v 21%; OR, 2.23; CI, 1.5-3.3; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Serious adverse events were common in this cohort. Careful planning to minimize anesthesia time in young children with pulmonary hypertension should be undertaken, and these factors considered in designing risk mitigation strategies.

Multi-institution Assessment of the Accuracy of Cardiac Computed Tomography in Preparation for Superior Cavopulmonary Connection

BACKGROUND

Patients with single ventricle (SV) congenital heart disease (CHD) undergo several interventions in the first years of life. Advanced diagnostics are required for interstage assessment of anatomy, but are associated with significant diagnostic risk. We sought to evaluate image quality, risk, and accuracy of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) for evaluation of anatomy prior to superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC) compared to surgical findings across 2 institutions.

METHODS

A retrospective evaluation of image quality, risk, and accuracy of pre-SCPC CCT was performed at 2 institutions between January 1, 2010 and September 30, 2016.

RESULTS

CCT was performed in 90 SV CHD patients with a median age of 4.03 months (interquartile range [IQR] 3.36, 5.33) prior to SCPC. Image quality was optimal (84%) or good (16%) in all patients, without significant discrepancy compared to surgical findings. 7 patients (8%) required interventional cardiac catheterization subsequent to CCT and before surgical intervention. 49% of scans were performed without sedation, 43% of scans were performed with mild to moderate sedation, and 8% of scans were performed with general anesthesia. The median total procedural dose-length product (DLP) was 18 (IQR 14, 26) mGy*cm, estimating an age adjusted radiation dose of 1.4 millisievert (mSv). One minor (1%) adverse event was reported within 24 h of the CCT. Surgical complications were unrelated to the presurgical findings.

CONCLUSIONS

CCT for pre-SCPC evaluation is safe, with excellent accuracy for anatomy at the time of surgical intervention across 2 institutions. In select patients, noninvasive evaluation with CCT may be indicated.

Factors Impacting Long-Term Gastrostomy Tube Dependence in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) often experience oral feeding intolerance requiring gastrostomy (GT). Complications related to GT use are common. The study aim was to identify factors associated with continued GT use at one-year.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary children's hospital using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database and patients' electronic medical record. Infants <1-year with CHD who underwent cardiac and GT surgery between January 2014-October 2019 were identified. Patient demographics, preoperative feeding, clinical variables, and GT use at one-year was evaluated. A separate cohort discharged with a nasogastric tube (NGT) was identified for longitudinal comparisons.

RESULTS

Of 137 infants who received a GT, 115 (84%) continued using their GT at one-year. Factors associated with continued GT use included lower median percent of goal oral feeding before GT placement (0% IQR 0-6.5 versus 3.7% IQR 0-31), prolonged hospitalization after GT placement (36% versus 14%, P-value = 0.048), and failure to take oral feeds at discharge (69% versus 27%, P-value <0.001). There was no difference in demographics or clinical comorbidities between groups. Clinic/emergency room visits for GT complications were common (72%). Eight infants discharged with a NGT did not require GT placement.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CHD tolerating minimal oral nutrition before GT placement, prolonged hospitalization after GT, and difficulty with oral feeds at discharge were more likely to use their GT at 1-year. Outpatient NGT feeding is feasible for select infants with CHD. Efforts to optimize care for this complex, device-dependent population are warranted to minimize risks and facilitate family engagement for long-term care.

Difficult tracheal intubation and perioperative outcomes in patients with congenital heart disease: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Management of difficult tracheal intubation during induction of anesthesia in children with congenital heart disease is challenging. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of difficult tracheal intubation in patients with congenital heart disease and compare the incidence of perioperative complications and outcomes in patients with and without difficult tracheal intubation.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary Children's Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

6858 patient-encounters including cardiac diagnostic, interventional or surgical procedures from 2012 to 2018 were reviewed.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

age > 18 years, endotracheal tube or tracheostomy in-situ.

METHODS/INTERVENTIONS

Patients' demographics, number and methods of intubation, peri-intubation hemodynamics, intensive care unit and postoperative hospital length of stay were recorded. Multivariable mixed-effects median, logistic, ordinal, and multinomial regression modeling were implemented to analyze outcomes in the matched sets.

RESULTS

Of the 6014 encounters examined in the study, the incidence of DTI was 0.96% and all 58 difficult tracheal intubations (DTI) were matched using 1:2 propensity score matching to 116 non-DTI encounters. Number of intubation attempts was significantly higher among patients with difficult tracheal intubation (ordinal logistic regression odds ratio = 2; 95% CI; 1.3, 2.7; P < 0.001). No significant differences in peri-intubation hemodynamic stability were noted. Patients with difficult tracheal intubation had longer postoperative hospital length of stay (median = 12.1 vs 7.9 days, coef. = 4; 95% CI: 1.3, 6.8; P = 0.004) than patients without.

CONCLUSION

Despite a higher number of intubation attempts, our study shows no major differences in the peri-intubation hemodynamics in patients with and without difficult tracheal intubation. This risk can be mitigated by a good understanding of cardiac physiology, management of hemodynamics, and early use of an indirect intubation technique to maximize first attempt success.

Anesthetic Considerations in Pediatric Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in pediatrics is a significant cause for morbidity and mortality in children. Congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy are the leading etiologies of ADHF. It is common for these children to undergo diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical procedure under anesthesia, which may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The importance of preanesthetic multidisciplinary planning with all involved teams, including anesthesia, cardiology, intensive care, perfusion, and cardiac surgery, cannot be emphasized enough. In order to safely manage these patients, it is imperative for the anesthesiologist to understand the complex pathophysiological interactions between cardiopulmonary systems and anesthesia during these procedures. This review discusses the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and perioperative management of these patients.

Adult survivors of moderate and great complexity congenital heart disease undergoing general surgery procedures: How do they fare?

BACKGROUND

Patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) are now commonly surviving well into adulthood. We describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes for a cohort of adult patients with moderate and great complexity CHD undergoing general surgery procedures.

METHODS

The electronic records of two tertiary centers were queried to identify adult patients with moderate and great complexity CHD who underwent a general surgery procedure between 2007 and 2017.

RESULTS

118 adult patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 36 ± 17 years and 49.2% were male. The most common cardiac diagnoses were pulmonary valve anomaly (24.6%), tetralogy of Fallot (18.6%), coarctation of the aorta (15.3%) and common/single ventricle (10.2%). The most common general surgery procedures performed were cholecystectomy (23.7%), herniorrhaphy (23.7%) and colorectal resection (9.3%). In-hospital mortality and morbidity were 2.5% and 11.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Adults survivors of moderate and great complexity CHD undergoing common general surgery procedures in this study experienced excellent in-hospital outcomes.

Incidence, characteristics and risk factors for perioperative cardiac arrest and 30-day-mortality in preterm infants requiring non-cardiac surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine 30-day-mortality, incidence and characteristics of perioperative cardiac arrest as well as the respective independent risk factors in preterm infants undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational Follow-up-study.

SETTING

Bielefeld University Hospital, a German tertiary care hospital.

PATIENTS

Population of 229 preterm infants (age < 37th gestational week at the time of surgery) who underwent non-cardiac surgery between 01/2008-12/2018.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary endpoint was overall 30-day-mortality. Secondary endpoints were the incidence of perioperative cardiac arrest and identification of independent risk factors. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses and calculated odds ratios (OR) for risk factors associated with these endpoints.

MAIN RESULTS

30-day-mortality was 10.9% and perioperative mortality 0.9%. Univariate risk factors for 30-day-mortality were perioperative cardiac arrest (OR,12.5;95%CI,3.1 to 50.3), comorbidities of lungs (OR,3.7;95%CI,1.2 to 11.3) and gastrointestinal tract (OR,3.5;95%CI,1.3 to 9.6); sepsis (OR,3.6;95%CI,1.4 to 9.5); surgery between 22:01-7:00 (OR,7.3;95%CI,2.4 to 21.7); emergency (OR,4.5;95%CI,1.6 to 12.4); pre-existing catecholamine therapy (OR,5.0;95%CI,2.1 to 11.9). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that perioperative cardiac arrest (OR,13.9;95%CI,2.7 to 71.3), low body weight (weight < 1000 g: OR,26.0;95%CI,3.2 to 212; 1000-1499 g: OR,10.3; 95%CI,1.1 to 94.9 compared to weight > 2000 g), and time of surgery (OR,5.9;95%CI,1.6 to 21.3) for 22:01-7:00 compared to 7:01-15:00) were the major independent risk factors of mortality. Incidence of perioperative cardiac arrests was 3.9% (9 of 229;95%CI,1.8 to 7.3). Univariate risk factors were congenital anomalies of the airways (OR,4.7;95%CI,1.2 to 20.3), lungs (OR,4.7;95%CI,1.2 to 20.3) and heart (OR,8.0;95%CI,2 to 32.2), pre-existing catecholamine therapy (OR,59.5;95%CI,3.4 to 1039), specifically, continuous infusions of epinephrine (OR,432;95%CI,43.2 to 4318).

CONCLUSIONS

30-day-mortality and the incidence of perioperative cardiac arrest of preterms undergoing non-cardiac surgery were higher than previously reported. The identified independent risk factors may improve interdisciplinary perioperative risk assessment, optimal preoperative stabilization and scheduling of optimal surgical timing.