Early postoperative arrhythmias after pediatric congenital heart disease surgery: A 5-year audit from a lower- to middle-income country

Authors

Sidra Ishaque, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Saleem Akhtar, Aga Khan University
Asma Akbar Ladak, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Russell Seth Martins, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Muhammad Kamran Younis Memon, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Alisha Raza Kazmi, Aga Khan University
Fatima Mahmood, Aga Khan University
Anwar Ul Haque, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Document Type

Article

Department

Paediatrics and Child Health

Abstract

Background: Postoperative arrhythmias are a known complication after surgical repair for congenital heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to identify and discuss the prevalence, diagnosis, and management of common rhythm disturbances seen in the immediate postoperative period after surgery for CHD in the pediatric population at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan between January 2014 and December 2018. All pediatric (old) patients admitted to the intensive care unit and undergoing continuous electrocardiographic monitoring after surgery for CHD were included in this study. Data pertaining to the incidence, diagnosis, and management of postoperative arrhythmias were collected.
Results: Amongst 812 children who underwent surgery for CHD, 185 (22.8%) developed arrhythmias. Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) was the most common arrhythmia, observed in 120 patients (64.9%), followed by complete heart block (CHB) in 33 patients (17.8%). The highest incidence of early postoperative arrhythmia was seen in patients with atrioventricular septal defects (64.3%) and transposition of the great arteries (36.4%). Patients were managed according to the Pediatric Advanced Life Support guidelines. JET resolved successfully within 24 hours in 92% of patients, while 16 (48%) patients with CHB required a permanent pacemaker.
Conclusion: More than one in five pediatric patients suffered from early postoperative arrhythmias in our setting. Further research exploring predictive factors and the development of better management protocols of patients with CHB are essential for reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with postoperative arrhythmia.

Comments

Volume, issue, and pagination are not provided by the author/publisher

Publication (Name of Journal)

Acute and critical care

Recommended Citation

Ishaque, S., Akhtar, S., Ladak, A. A., Martins, R. S., Memon, M. K., Kazmi, A. R., Mahmood, F., Haque, A. U. (2022). Early postoperative arrhythmias after pediatric congenital heart disease surgery: A 5-year audit from a lower- to middle-income country. Acute and critical care.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_women_childhealth_paediatr/1128

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.