Incidents and complications during pediatric cardiac catheterization

Severe Complications after General Anesthesia versus Sedation during Pediatric Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization for Ventricular Septal Defect

Pediatric cardiac catheterization requires unconsciousness and immobilization through general anesthesia or sedation. This study aimed to compare the occurrence of severe complications in pediatric diagnostic cardiac catheterization for ventricular septal defect between general anesthesia and sedation performed under similar institutional environments. Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we retrospectively identified pediatric patients (aged <2 years) who underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization for ventricular septal defect between July 2010 and March 2019. The composite outcome was the occurrence of severe complications, including catecholamine use and intensive care unit admission, within seven days after catheterization. Overlap weighting based on propensity scores was used to adjust for patient- and hospital-level confounding factors. We identified 3159 patients from 87 hospitals, including 930 under general anesthesia and 2229 under sedation. The patient- and hospital-level baseline characteristics differed between the groups. After adjustment, the proportion of patients with severe complications was significantly higher in the general anesthesia group than in the sedation group (2.4% vs. 0.6%; risk difference, 1.8% [95% confidence interval, 0.93−2.6%]). Severe complications occurred more frequently in the general anesthesia group than in the sedation group. Further research on anesthetic methods is necessary to assess the safety and accuracy of pediatric diagnostic cardiac catheterization.

Safety and tolerability of combination therapy with ambrisentan and tadalafil for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in children: Real-world experience

OBJECTIVE

To describe the safety and tolerability of treatment with ambrisentan and tadalafil in pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH).

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective observational two-center study included subjects (≤18 years of age) with PH receiving combination therapy with ambrisentan and tadalafil. Before initiating this therapy, many patients were on other therapies for PH. At baseline, patients either received no therapy or monotherapy with a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) or endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) (Group A), switched from a different PDE5i and ERA (Group B), or were on prostanoid therapy with or without a PDE5i and/or ERA (Group C and D). Demographics, symptoms, and adverse effects were collected. Pre- and postvalues for exercise capacity, hemodynamics, and biomarkers were compared.

RESULTS

There were 43 subjects (26 F, 17 M) ages 4-17.5 years (median 9.3) with World Symposium of PH group 1, 3, and 5. Significant improvements were seen in change scores at follow-up in the entire sample and Group A for 6-min walk distance: +37.0 (6.5-71.0) [p = 0.022], mean pulmonary artery pressure: -6.0 (-14.0 to -3.5) [p = .002], pulmonary vascular resistance: -1.7 (-6.2 to -1.0) [p = .003], NT-proBNP -32.9 (-148.9 to -6.7) [p = .025]. WHO functional class improved in 39.5% and was unchanged in 53.5%; PH risk scores improved in 16%; were unchanged in 56%; and declined in 14%. Three patients discontinued therapy (two headaches, one peripheral edema). Seven patients were hospitalized for worsening disease (2/7 had a Potts shunt placed, 2/7 had an atrial septostomy). There were no deaths or lung transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination therapy with ambrisentan and tadalafil was well-tolerated, with an acceptable safety profile in a select group of children. This therapy was associated with improved exercise capacity and hemodynamics in children who were treatment naïve or on monotherapy with a PH medication before the initiation of ambrisentan and tadalafil. Based on these early data, further study of combination therapy in pediatric PH is warranted.

Complicaciones relacionadas con el cateterismo cardíaco pediátrico y cardiopatías congénitas

INTRODUCTION

Congenital heart diseases are the most common congenital abnormalities in newborns with a prevalence of 1%. Therapeutic and diagnostic cardiac catheterization has revolutionized the treatment of these diseases; however, it can be associated with complications.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the incidence and type of complications associated with pediatric cardiac catheterization in a reference center for congenital heart defects.

METHODOLOGY

Retrospective observational study, with analytical intention based on records of cardiac catheterization performed on patients with congenital and acquired heart disease.

RESULTS

2,688 records were included for nine consecutive years. 53.9% were men, 21.3% with ages between 2 and 5 years and 20.3% between 6 months and 2 years. 63.5% of the procedures were elective. The prevalence of complications in the first 24 hours after catheterization was 6.7% (4.2% minor and 2.4% major). Early death occurred in 0.8% of the procedures. Factors associated with complications were age at catheterization <28 days (OR 2.18, 95% CI [1.28-3.70]), precatheter oxygen saturation <79% (OR 2.15, 95% CI [1.02-4.53]), use of pre-catheter inotropics (OR 3.00, 95% CI [1.68-5.33]). The variables included in the model explain 38% of the variance of post-cardiac catheterization complications in patients younger than 18 years.

DISCUSSION

Cardiac catheterization is associated with major and minor complications including death. The associated factors were less than 28 days, lower oxygen saturation and use of pre-catheter inotropics.

Risk Factors for Adverse Events in Children with Pulmonary Hypertension Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can lead to progressive heart failure with high morbidity and mortality. Cardiac catheterization (CC) is the gold standard for diagnosis and response to vasodilatory medications. The invasive nature of CC and associated anesthesia predispose this patient population to adverse events including death. Catheterization records were queried from 1/1/2011 to 10/31/2016. Patients with PH, defined as pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) greater than 3 WU m², pulmonary artery pressure above 20 mmHg, and pulmonary wedge pressure less than or equal to 15 mmHg, who underwent hemodynamic CC were included in this retrospective study. Both patients with and without congenital heart disease were included. There were 198 CC in 191 patients. Adverse events (n = 28, 14.1%) included cardiac arrest, increased respiratory support requiring ICU care, PH crisis, bradycardia/hypotension requiring intervention, and arrhythmias. Odds of an adverse event increased by 22% for every 15-min increase in procedure times (OR 1.22, CI 1.01-1.39, p = 0.002) and were significantly increased for procedures longer than 80 min (OR 3.75, CI 1.56-9.00, p = 0.007) (Fig. 1). Patients with an adverse event had higher mean pulmonary artery pressures while breathing oxygen (43 [35-58] versus 34 [27-44] mmHg, p = 0.017) and oxygen with inhaled nitric oxide (37 [32-56] versus 32 [25-40] mmHg, p = 0.026). Females carried more risk than males (OR 3.88, CI 1.44-10.40, p = 0.007). Younger age, medication regimens, prematurity, and genetic disease did not carry an increased risk. Adverse events are common in pediatric patients with PH undergoing CC. The risk of adverse events correlates with greater procedure times and higher mean pulmonary artery pressure. Minimizing procedure time may improve patient outcomes.

The effect of the duration of the procedure on the risk of complications during pediatric cardiac catheterization

Background

This study aims to evaluate the frequency of and associated risk factors for adverse events caused by cardiac catheterization procedures in pediatric patients.

Methods

Between January 2009 and January 2012, a total of 599 pediatric patients (320 males, 279 females; mean age 5.4±4.7 years; range, 1 day to 21 years) who underwent cardiac catheterization in our cardiac catheterization laboratory were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical data of the patients including the duration of the procedure, management of anesthesia, the American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics, and procedure-related serious adverse events were recorded.

Results

The incidence of procedure-related serious adverse events was 9.18%. Potential risk factors associated with serious adverse events were identified as interventional heart catheterization, high scores obtained from the Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics, the use of endotracheal tube in airway control, and prolonged procedural duration.

Conclusion

Our study results suggest that prolonged duration of catheterization is a potential risk factor for procedure-related adverse events and the duration of the procedure needs to be included as a variable in the Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics scoring system for predicting procedure-related adverse events.

Pulmonary hemorrhage in children with Alagille syndrome undergoing cardiac catheterization

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the incidence, severity, and outcomes of pulmonary hemorrhage in children with Alagille syndrome (AGS) undergoing cardiac catheterization, and to find variables associated with hemorrhage in this population.

BACKGROUND

Children with AGS have a high incidence of bleeding complications during invasive procedures. It has been our impression that catheterization-associated pulmonary hemorrhage is more common in children with AGS, but there are no published data on this topic.

METHODS

This was a retrospective single institution study of children with AGS undergoing catheterization from 2010 to 2018. Pulmonary hemorrhage was defined as angiographic or fluoroscopic evidence of extravasated blood in the lung parenchyma, or blood suctioned from the endotracheal tube with documentation of pulmonary hemorrhage by the anesthesiologist or intensivist. Univariate comparisons were made between catheterizations that did and did not have pulmonary hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Thirty children with AGS underwent 87 catheterizations, 32 (37%) with interventions on the branch pulmonary arteries (PA). There were 26 (30%) procedures with hemorrhage, the majority (65%) of which were self-limited or required less than 24 hr of mechanical ventilation. Moderate and severe hemorrhage occurred only in children with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF; 5 of 14, 36%). A higher right ventricle to aorta systolic pressure ratio (1.0 [0.85-1.1] vs. 0.88 [0.59-1.0], p = .029) and interventions on the branch PAs (14 of 26, 54% vs. 18 of 61, 30%, p = .032) were associated with hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary hemorrhage was common in children with AGS undergoing both intervention and diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and was associated with TOF, higher RV to aorta pressure ratio, and interventions on the branch PAs.

EXPRESS: Sildenafil for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension: a meta-analysis

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common complication in preterm infants and often complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH), leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. Sildenafil is often used to treat PH and improve symptoms in this condition, even though evidence of safety and effectiveness is scarce. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis about the effectiveness and safety of chronic use of sildenafil in preterm infants with BPD-associated PH. Data sources were PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline. Studies reporting the effectiveness of sildenafil therapy in BPD-associated PH in newborns and infants were included. All-cause mortality, improvement in PH, improvement in respiratory scores, and adverse events were extracted. Five studies were included, yielding a total of 101 patients with 94.2 patient-years of total follow-up. The pooled mortality rate was 29.7%/year (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.8–52.7). Estimated pulmonary arterial pressure improved > 20% in 69.3% (95% CI = 56.8–81.8) of patients within 1–6 months. Respiratory scores improved in 15.0% (95% CI = 0.0–30.4) of patients within 2–7 days. There were no serious adverse events during sildenafil therapy. This systematic review shows that in the treatment of BPD-associated PH in preterm infants, sildenafil may be associated with improvement in PAP and respiratory scores. However, there is no clear evidence of its effect on mortality rates. Considering BPD as a complex disease with variable expression patterns, these results support the need for a prospective registry and standardized approach.

Cardiac Output Measurement Using the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor: A Validation Study in Newborn Infants

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the accuracy and validity of the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor (USCOM) measurements of cardiac output (CO) compared to echocardiography in newborn infants, and the inter-rater agreement of USCOM measurements.

METHODS

In a single-center study we prospectively evaluated neonates undergoing an echocardiographic evaluation. USCOM measurements of CO were obtained at the pulmonary and aortic valve by 2 physicians blinded to the echocardiographic results. All echocardiographic measurements were performed blinded to USCOM measurements. We first enrolled an ascertainment cohort which was subsequently validated in an independent new cohort. Agreement between echocardiography and USCOM methods was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) assessed the agreement between the 2 operators. The ascertainment cohort correction factors were applied in a second validation cohort and agreement of the calibrated measures evaluated with repeat Bland-Altman comparisons.

RESULTS

A total of 50 infants were enrolled in the initial cohort and 15 in the validation cohort. There was a high degree of correlation between the USCOM operators (ICC = 0.975). USCOM measurements of CO were significantly higher compared to echocardiography (left ventricular output bias 95 ± 52 mL/kg/min and right ventricular output bias 64 ± 30 mL/kg/min). There was no difference in the subgroup of infants with and without a ductus arteriosus. After the correction was applied to the validation cohort, there was no longer a significant difference between the measures.

CONCLUSIONS

CO measured by USCOM consistently overestimated the results obtained from echocardiography. USCOM is not adequate to provide absolute estimates of CO. However, it may allow longitudinal hemodynamic assessment of sick neonates.

Perioperative events in children with pulmonary hypertension undergoing non-cardiac procedures

Prior limited research indicates that children with pulmonary hypertension (PH) have higher rates of adverse perioperative outcomes when undergoing non-cardiac procedures and cardiac catheterizations. We examined a single-center retrospective cohort of children with active or pharmacologically controlled PH who underwent cardiac catheterization or non-cardiac surgery during 2006–2014. Preoperative characteristics and perioperative courses were examined to determine relationships between the severity or etiology of PH, type of procedure, and occurrence of major and minor events. We identified 77 patients who underwent 148 procedures at a median age of six months. The most common PH etiologies were bronchopulmonary dysplasia (46.7%), congenital heart disease (29.9%), and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (14.3%). Cardiac catheterizations (39.2%), and abdominal (29.1%) and central venous access (8.9%) were the most common procedures. Major events included failed planned extubation (5.6%), postoperative cardiac arrest (4.7%), induction or intraoperative cardiac arrest (2%), and postoperative death (1.4%). Major events were more frequent in patients with severe baseline PH (P = 0.006) and the incidence was associated with procedure type (P = 0.05). Preoperative inhaled nitric oxide and prostacyclin analog therapies were associated with decreased incidence of minor events (odds ratio [OR] = 0.32, P = 0.046 and OR = 0.24, P = 0.008, respectively), but no change in the incidence of major events. PH etiology was not associated with events (P = 0.24). Children with PH have increased risk of perioperative complications; cardiac arrest and death occur more frequently in patients with severe PH and those undergoing thoracic procedures. Risk may be modified by using preoperative pulmonary vasodilator therapy and lends itself to further prospective studies.

Therapeutic Utilities of Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization

In an era when less invasive techniques are favored, therapeutic cardiac catheterization constantly evolves and widens its spectrum of usage in the pediatric population. The advent of sophisticated devices and well-designed equipment has made the management of many congenital cardiac lesions more efficient and safer, while providing more comfort to the patient. Nowadays, a large variety of heart diseases are managed with transcatheter techniques, such as patent foramen ovale, atrial and ventricular septal defects, valve stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, aortic coarctation, pulmonary artery and vein stenosis and arteriovenous malformations. Moreover, hybrid procedures and catheter ablation have opened new paths in the treatment of complex cardiac lesions and arrhythmias, respectively. In this article, the main therapeutic utilities of cardiac catheterization in children are discussed.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance: Diagnostic utility and specific considerations in the pediatric population

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is a non-invasive imaging modality which is emerging as important tool for the investigation and management of pediatric cardiovascular disease. In this review we describe the key technical and practical differences between scanning children and adults, and highlight some important considerations that must be taken into account for this patient population. Using case examples commonly seen in clinical practice, we discuss the important clinical applications of cardiovascular magnetic resonance, and briefly highlight key future developments in this field.

Predictors of Catastrophic Adverse Outcomes in Children With Pulmonary Hypertension Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization: A Multi-Institutional Analysis From the Pediatric Health Information Systems Database

BACKGROUND

Cardiac catheterization is the standard of care procedure for diagnosis, choice of therapy, and longitudinal follow-up of children and adults with pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the procedure is invasive and has risks associated with both the procedure and recovery period.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for catastrophic adverse outcomes in children with PH undergoing cardiac catheterization.

METHODS

We studied children and young adults up to 21 years of age with PH undergoing 1 or more cardiac catheterization at centers participating in the Pediatric Health Information Systems database between 2007 and 2012. Using mixed-effects multivariable regression, we assessed the association between pre-specified subject- and procedure-level covariates and the risk of the composite outcome of death or initiation of mechanical circulatory support within 1 day of cardiac catheterization after adjustment for patient- and procedure-level factors.

RESULTS

A total of 6,339 procedures performed on 4,401 patients with a diagnosis of PH from 38 of 43 centers contributing data to the Pediatric Health Information Systems database were included. The observed risk of composite outcome was 3.5%. In multivariate modeling, the adjusted risk of the composite outcome was 3.3%. Younger age at catheterization, cardiac operation in the same admission as the catheterization, pre-procedural systemic vasodilator infusion, and hemodialysis were independently associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Pre-procedural use of pulmonary vasodilators was associated with reduced risk of composite outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of cardiac catheterization in children and young adults with PH is high relative to previously reported risk in other pediatric populations. The risk is influenced by patient-level factors. Further research is necessary to determine whether knowledge of these factors can be translated into practices that improve outcomes for children with PH.

Anesthesia and sedation outside of the operating room

Due to rapid evolution and technological advancements, medical personnel now require special training outside of their safe zones. Anesthesiologists face challenges in practicing in locations beyond the operating room. New locations, inadequate monitoring devices, poor assisting staff, unfamiliarity of procedures, insufficient knowledge of basic standards, and lack of experience compromise the quality of patient care. Therefore, anesthesiologists must recognize possible risk factors during anesthesia in nonoperating rooms and familiarize themselves with standards to improve safe practice. This review article emphasizes the need for standardizing hospitals and facilities requiring nonoperating room anesthesia, and encourages anesthesiologists to take the lead in applying these practice guidelines to improve patient outcomes and reduce adverse events.

Effect of center catheterization volume on risk of catastrophic adverse event after cardiac catheterization in children

BACKGROUND

Procedural volume has been shown to be associated with outcome in cardiac catheterization and intervention in adults. The impact of center-level factors (such as volume) and their interaction with subject- and procedure-level factors on outcome after cardiac catheterization in children is not well described. We hypothesized that higher center catheterization volume would be associated with lower risk of catastrophic adverse events.

METHODS

We studied children and young adults 0 to 21 years of age undergoing one or more cardiac catheterizations at centers participating in the Pediatric Health Information Systems database between 2007 and 2012. Using mixed-effects multivariable regression, we assessed the association between center catheterization volumes and the risk of a composite outcome of death and/or initiation of mechanical circulatory support within 1 day of cardiac catheterization adjusting for patient- and procedure-level factors.

RESULTS

A total of 63,994 procedures performed on 40,612 individuals from 38 of 43 centers contributing data to the Pediatric Health Information Systems database were included. The adjusted risk of the composite outcome was 0.1%. Increasing annual catheterization laboratory volume was independently associated with reduced risk of the composite outcome (odds ratio per a 100-procedure/y increment 0.78 [95% CI 0.65-0.93], P < .006). Younger age at catheterization, previous cardiac operation in the same admission as the catheterization, preprocedural vasoactive medications, and hemodialysis were also independently associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher cardiac catheterization laboratory volume was associated with reduced risk of catastrophic adverse outcome in the immediate postcatheterization period in children. The observed benefit of catheterization at a larger volume center may be attributable to transmissible best practices or inextricable benefits of larger systems.

Complications of cardiac catheterization in adults and children with congenital heart disease in the current era

The number of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring diagnostic and/or therapeutic cardiac catheterization has been increasing. However, there have been few studies on the complications of performing cardiac catheterization in adults with CHD. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of complications during congenital cardiac catheterization in both adults and pediatric patients. A total of 2134 consecutive cardiac catheterizations performed between 2003 and 2008 were prospectively analyzed. Complications were graded from 1 to 5 based on severity and these, with ≥ grade 3 being defined as major. During the study period, 576 procedures (393 diagnostic, 90 interventional, and 93 electrophysiological) were performed in adult patients (≥ 18 years). Complex heart disease was present in 435 of 576 procedures (75.6 %). A total of 65 complications (11.3 %) with 13 major complications including 1 death (2.3 %) were encountered. The most common complications were arrhythmias. The majority of complications were successfully treated or temporary, and all but one of the patients were without residua. Of the 1558 pediatric procedures performed during the same period, we found a total of 229 complications (14.7 %), of which 89 (5.7 %) were major complications including 5 deaths. The safety of performing cardiac catheterization for adult CHD appears to be similar to that for pediatric patients. The complication rates in adults with CHD are low, but not negligible.

The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in pediatric congenital heart disease

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has expanded its role in the diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease (CHD) and acquired heart disease in pediatric patients. Ongoing technological advancements in both data acquisition and data presentation have enabled CMR to be integrated into clinical practice with increasing understanding of the advantages and limitations of the technique by pediatric cardiologists and congenital heart surgeons. Importantly, the combination of exquisite 3D anatomy with physiological data enables CMR to provide a unique perspective for the management of many patients with CHD. Imaging small children with CHD is challenging, and in this article we will review the technical adjustments, imaging protocols and application of CMR in the pediatric population.

What is new in pediatric cardiac imaging?

Cardiac imaging has had significant influence on the science and practice of pediatric cardiology. Especially the development and improvements made in non-invasive imaging techniques, like echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been extremely important. Technical advancements in the field of medical imaging are quickly being made. This review will focus on some of the important evolutions in pediatric cardiac imaging. Techniques such as intracardiac echocardiography, 3D echocardiography, and tissue Doppler imaging are relatively new echocardiographic techniques, which further optimize the anatomical and functional aspects of congenital heart disease. Also, the current standing of cardiac MRI and cardiac computerized tomography will be discussed. Finally, the recent European efforts to organize training and accreditation in pediatric echocardiography are highlighted.

Perioperative complications in children with pulmonary hypertension undergoing noncardiac surgery or cardiac catheterization

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can lead to significant cardiac dysfunction and is considered to be associated with an increased risk of perioperative cardiovascular complications.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of children with PAH who underwent anesthesia or sedation for noncardiac surgical procedures or cardiac catheterizations from 1999 to 2004. The incidence, type, and associated factors of complications occurring intraoperatively through 48 h postoperatively were examined.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty-six procedures were performed in 156 patients (median age 4.0 yr). PAH etiology was 56% idiopathic (primary), 21% congenital heart disease, 14% chronic lung disease, 4% chronic airway obstruction, and 4% chronic liver disease. Baseline pulmonary artery pressure was subsystemic in 68% patients, systemic in 19%, and suprasystemic in 13%. The anesthetic techniques were 22% sedation, 58% general inhaled, 20% general IV. Minor complications occurred in eight patients (5.1% of patients, 3.1% of procedures). Major complications, including cardiac arrest and pulmonary hypertensive crisis, occurred in seven patients during cardiac catheterization procedures (4.5% of patients, 5.0% of cardiac catheterization procedures, 2.7% of all procedures). There were two deaths associated with pulmonary hypertensive crisis (1.3% of patients, 0.8% of procedures). Baseline suprasystemic PAH was a significant predictor of major complications by multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR = 8.1, P = 0.02). Complications were not significantly associated with age, etiology of PAH, type of anesthetic, or airway management.

CONCLUSION

Children with suprasystemic PAH have a significant risk of major perioperative complications, including cardiac arrest and pulmonary hypertensive crisis.