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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Congenital cardiac malformation in infants and children
Insights
Pediatric cardiac surgery mortality is linked to complex anomalies and respiratory issues in infants, and cardiovascular insufficiency in older children. Improved intensive care post-operation is recommended to reduce deaths.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiovascular Anomalies
- Intensive Care Medicine
Background:
- Mortality rates in pediatric cardiac operations vary significantly by age group.
- Infants under one year undergoing cardiac surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass face high risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze causes of death in children undergoing cardiac operations.
- To identify risk factors and suggest improvements in postoperative care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric cardiac surgery outcomes.
- Categorization of deaths based on age, cardiac anomalies, and cause.
Main Results:
- In infants (<1 year), cardiac arrest and respiratory deficiency were primary causes of death, often without cardiopulmonary bypass.
- In children (2-14 years), cardiovascular insufficiency was the leading cause of death (4.64% mortality).
- Tetralogy of Fallot patients experienced high mortality, with cardiac insufficiency and bronchopneumonia with sepsis being significant factors.
Conclusions:
- Complex cardiac anomalies and respiratory issues are critical in infant mortality.
- Cardiovascular insufficiency is a major concern in older children post-cardiac surgery.
- Enhanced postoperative intensive therapy is crucial for reducing mortality in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.
Abstract:
There were 51 deaths following cardiac operation in children under one year of age. Nearly all these children were operated upon without using a cardiopulmonary bypass. The commonest cause of death was intra- or postoperative cardiac arrest usually occurring in patients with complex cardiac anomalies. The second most commonest cause was repiratory deficiency. In children between the ages of 2 and 14 years (91 deaths in 1859 patients, i.e. a mortality of 4.64%), the commonest cause of death was cardio-vascular insufficiency usually caused by the operation. In patients with tetralogy of Fallot (147 deaths amongst 709 patients) one must distinguish between right sided and left sided cardiac insufficiency. Here the next commonest cause of death was bronchopneumonia with septicaemia usually as a result of long term artificial respiration. Other causes of death such as haemorrhages and embolic phenomena are much less important. In order to lower the mortality, better postoperative treatment in an intensive therapy unit especially for children undergoing cardiac operations is suggested.
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