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THE RESULTS OF OPEN-HEART OPERATIONS PERFORMED ON CHILDREN
Insights
This study reports on 168 pediatric open-heart surgeries performed between 1959 and 1965. The research highlights a high survival rate of 89.8% for children undergoing these critical cardiac procedures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Congenital Heart Defects
Background:
- Open-heart surgery in children presents unique challenges.
- Advances in surgical techniques and technology are crucial for improving outcomes.
- Early surgical intervention can correct life-threatening cardiac abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of pediatric open-heart operations.
- To assess the effectiveness of specific surgical techniques and equipment.
- To report survival rates for a series of pediatric cardiac surgeries.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 168 open-heart operations performed on 166 children.
- Utilized a Kay-Cross disc oxygenator for all procedures.
- Incorporated hypothermia (25-30°C) with a Brown-Harrison heat exchanger in 42 operations.
Main Results:
- The study included a diverse range of pediatric cardiac abnormalities amenable to surgical correction.
- The smallest infant survivor weighed 8 lb. 14 oz.
- Achieved an overall survival rate of 89.8% (149 survivors out of 166 children).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric open-heart surgery can be performed with a high survival rate.
- The employed techniques and equipment, including the Kay-Cross oxygenator and hypothermia, were effective.
- This series demonstrates the feasibility and success of open-heart surgery for correcting congenital heart defects in children.
Abstract:
From December 1, 1959, to January 1, 1965, a total of 166 children have undergone 168 open-heart operations at The Children's Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.While this series is not a large one, the defects encountered include most of those cardiac abnormalities which are amenable to open-heart correction in children.For all operations a Kay-Cross disc oxygenator was employed. In 42 of the 168 operations, hypothermia (25-30 degrees C.) was also used and was obtained by a Brown-Harrison heat exchanger incorporated into the arterial line.The smallest infant survivor in this series of patients weighed 8 lb. 14 oz. at the time of her operation.Of the 166 children operated upon 149 have survived, an overall survival rate of 89.8%.
