Post-operative practice patterns after the bidirectional Glenn surgery: a survey

The bidirectional Glenn surgery is an important staging procedure for patients with single ventricle physiology. Approximately 1000 children are born each year in the United States with this subset of CHD. There is limited data regarding optimal post-operative management for these children. We surveyed paediatric cardiac intensive care providers surrounding their management strategies after the bidirectional Glenn surgery.

An anonymous survey was distributed via email to paediatric cardiac intensive care providers. The survey included anonymised demographic data and focused on post-operative physiologic targets for patients recovering after the bidirectional Glenn surgery.

Thirty-five paediatric cardiac intensive care providers responded to an anonymous 12-question survey. Subjects were mostly comprised of paediatric cardiac intensive care attendings (80%), with an average of 7.86 years of training. The respondents primarily practised in settings with medical trainees, and all practised in settings with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation capabilities.

Respondents were asked to complete a web-based survey. Five of the survey questions were devoted to background demographic data, and seven questions were aimed at identifying physiologic targets. Two of the seven questions were in relation to a provided clinical vignette.

This survey demonstrated that there is a lack of consensus in the management of patients after the bidirectional Glenn surgery. Specifically, granular SpO₂, mean arterial pressure, and pH Goals were all less than 75% consensus. This survey highlights the variable practice patterns in providers taking care of patients after the bidirectional Glenn surgery, and further demonstrates the need for physiologic and outcome-driven targets to optimise the post-operative care.