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Cardiac catheterization in low birth weight infants
Ming-Ren Chen1, Haw-Kwei Hwang, Chang-Hsien Yu
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Summary
Cardiac catheterization is safe for low birth weight infants. This study found no mortality and similar complication rates between diagnostic and interventional procedures in these vulnerable patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Increasing survival rates of low birth weight (LBW) infants present new challenges in pediatric cardiac care.
- Limited data exists on the outcomes of cardiac catheterization in LBW infants specifically from Taiwan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the safety and outcomes of cardiac catheterization in infants weighing less than 2500 grams.
- To assess morbidity and mortality associated with diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization in LBW infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 41 LBW infants (weighing <2500g) who underwent cardiac catheterization between August 1993 and July 2004.
- Comparison of complication rates and outcomes between infants undergoing diagnostic procedures versus interventional procedures.
Main Results:
- A total of 41 LBW infants (17 male, 24 female) were included, with a median age of 5 days and median weight of 2.35 kg.
- 14 infants underwent interventional procedures (e.g., balloon valvuloplasty, angioplasty, atrioseptostomy) and 27 underwent diagnostic catheterizations.
- All procedures were successful with zero mortality. Complications were noted in both groups, including arrhythmia, bleeding, apnea, and thromboembolism, with similar rates between diagnostic and interventional groups.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac catheterization, including interventional procedures, can be performed safely in low birth weight infants.
- The complication rate for interventional cardiac catheterization in LBW infants is comparable to diagnostic procedures.