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The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Early Arrhythmias Following Pediatric Open Heart Surgery in Egyptian Children
Tarek Ahmed Abdel Gawad1, Waleed Mohamed Elguindy1, Omneya Ibrahim Youssef1
1Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Ainshams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Early postoperative arrhythmias are common in children after congenital heart defect surgery, affecting 50% of patients. Younger age, lower weight, and longer surgery times increase the risk of these arrhythmias.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Postoperative arrhythmias are a significant concern in pediatric cardiac surgery.
- Identifying risk factors is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of early postoperative arrhythmias in children undergoing cardiac operations.
- To analyze potential risk factors associated with these arrhythmias.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 30 pediatric patients (4-144 months) post-cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
- Data collected included age, weight, surgery type, intraoperative arrhythmias, bypass and ischemic times, and inotrope use.
- Patients had preoperative sinus rhythm and normal electrolytes.
Main Results:
- Arrhythmia occurred in 15 out of 30 patients (50%).
- Significant differences were found between arrhythmic and non-arrhythmic groups regarding age, weight, ischemic time, bypass time, inotrope use, and ICU stay (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Early postoperative arrhythmias are frequent (50%) in children after congenital heart disease surgery.
- Younger age, lower body weight, longer ischemic and bypass times, and increased inotrope use are identified risk factors.
- These factors are associated with longer hospital stays.
Aim:
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of early postoperative arrhythmias after cardiac operation in the pediatric population, and to analyse possible risk factors.
Material And Methods:
Cross-sectional study included 30 postoperative patients, with age range four up to 144 months. They were selected from those admitted to the Cardiology Unit in the Pediatric department of Ain Shams University hospitals, after undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery for correction of congenital cardiac defects. All patients had preoperative sinus rhythm and normal preoperative electrolytes levels. All patients' records about age, weight, type of surgery, intraoperative arrhythmias, cardiopulmonary bypass time, ischemic time and use of inotropic drugs were taken before they were admitted to the specialised pediatric post-surgery intensive care unit (ICU).
Results:
Arrhythmia was documented in 15 out of 30 patients (50%). Statistically significant difference between the arrhythmic and non-arrhythmic group were recorded in relation to the age of operation (23 vs 33 months), weight (12 vs. 17 kg), ischemic time (74.5 vs. 54 min), cardiopulmonary bypass time (125.5 vs. 93.5min), inotrope use (1.6 vs. 1.16) and postoperative ICU stay (5.8 vs. 2.7 days), P<0.05.
Conclusion:
Early postoperative arrhythmias following surgery for congenital heart disease are relatively frequent in children (50%). Younger age, lower body weight, longer ischemic time and bypass time, and more inotrope use are all risk factors for postoperative arrhythmias and lead to increase the hospital stay.
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