Management of paediatric patients undergoing diagnostic and invasive cardiology procedures

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Diagnostic cardiac catheterization for congenital heart disease (CHD) has been performed since 1947.
• Echocardiography, a non-invasive tool, initially decreased diagnostic cardiac catheterizations.
• However, the total number of cardiac catheterizations has increased since the mid-1980s.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the trends in cardiac catheterization for pediatric congenital heart disease.
• To highlight the impact of interventional transcatheter techniques on procedural volume.
• To underscore the importance of anesthesia in pediatric cardiac catheterization.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical data on diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization in children.
• Analysis of trends in procedural volume in relation to technological advancements.
• Consideration of anesthetic requirements for pediatric cardiac catheterization.

Main Results:

• While diagnostic cardiac catheterizations decreased due to echocardiography, overall procedures increased.
• Interventional transcatheter techniques for correcting CHD have significantly driven this increase.
• The indications for interventional procedures have expanded considerably over the last 15 years.

Conclusions:

• Interventional cardiac catheterization has become a cornerstone in managing pediatric congenital heart disease.
• The evolution of techniques necessitates continued advancements in procedural safety and anesthetic management.
• Deep sedation or general anesthesia is vital for successful pediatric cardiac catheterization.