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A clinical observation of term infants with critical cardiovascular disorders
1Department of Pediatrics, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Insights
Critical cardiovascular disorders in infants often lead to intensive care. Despite treatments, outcomes for infants with cyanosis remain unsatisfactory, with higher mortality rates post-operation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal intensive care
- Pediatric cardiology
- Infant cardiovascular health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disorders are a primary reason for infant intensive care admissions.
- Congestive heart failure and cyanosis are significant conditions requiring evaluation of treatment consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the etiology, clinical presentation, and outcomes of infants with critical cardiovascular problems.
- To evaluate the impact of congestive heart failure and cyanosis on treatment outcomes in neonates.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 210 term infants hospitalized in a pediatric and neonatal ICU from July 1990 to December 1993.
- Comparison of outcomes between infants with and without congestive heart failure or cyanosis.
Main Results:
- Congenital cardiac defects, including ventricular septal defect and Tetralogy of Fallot, were the leading causes.
- Congestive heart failure (77.1%) and cyanosis (65.2%) were the most frequent symptoms.
- Mortality was significantly higher in cyanotic infants post-operation (28.5% vs. 5.5%).
Conclusions:
- Infants with critical cardiovascular disorders require prompt intensive care, including medical and surgical interventions.
- Current treatment outcomes for these infants remain unsatisfactory, particularly for those with cyanosis.
Background:
Cardiovascular disorders are known to be the major causes for infants requiring intensive care. The consequences of the treatment given to these infants suffering from congestive heart failure and/or cyanosis need to be evaluated.
Methods:
A total of 210 infants both at term suffering from critical cardiovascular problems were hospitalized in the pediatric and neonatal ICU between July 1990 and December 1993. The etiology, clinical data, emergency procedures and outcomes of infants with or without congestive heart failure or cyanosis were analyzed.
Results:
Congenital cardiac defects were the most common cause of critical cardiovascular disorders in infancy. These included ventricular septal defect in 42 (20%), Tetralogy of Fallot in 22 (10.5%), Dtransposition of the great arteries in 20 (9.5%) cases, etc. The most common symptoms and signs observed were congestive heart failure in 162 (77.1%) and cyanosis in 137 (65.2%) cases. In spite of aggressive medical and surgical treatments, the outcomes were still unsatisfactory. The mortality rate was found to be the same in infants with or without congestive heart failure, but was significantly higher in infants with cyanosis than in those without cyanosis, after operation (28.5% vs 5.5%, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Infants suffering from critical cardiovascular disorders need urgent medical and surgical treatments in intensive care units. In spite of treatment, the outcomes are still unsatisfactory.