Diagnostic pediatric cardiac catheterization: Experience of a tertiary care pediatric cardiac centre

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease Diagnosis

Background:

• Cardiac catheterization is the gold standard for diagnosing and managing congenital heart diseases.
• Despite advancements in non-invasive methods, it remains essential for pediatric cardiac care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the patient profile undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
• To assess the safety and management impact of the procedure in children.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 300 consecutive diagnostic cardiac catheterizations performed since April 2007.
• Inclusion of pediatric patients across a wide weight and age range.

Main Results:

• Patients ranged from 1.6 kg to 35 kg and 0 days to 12 years old.
• Over 90% of cases yielded crucial information for subsequent management.
• The procedure demonstrated a high safety profile, even in the smallest infants.

Conclusions:

• Diagnostic cardiac catheterization is a safe and highly effective procedure for pediatric congenital heart disease.
• It provides essential data that significantly influences patient management strategies.