Abstract

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect. There is an increased number of non-cardiac surgeries in CHD children. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of CHD patients undergoing non-cardiac surgeries, the most common type of surgical procedures, and the mortality rate.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Abdullah Specialist Children Hospital (KASCH) from Jan 2020 to Dec 2021 with a total number of 45 cases. Descriptive statistics were used to elaborate patients’ demographic characteristics and outcomes.
Results: A total of 231 patients with CHD were identified during the study period. Among these, 45 patients with a mean age of 3.97 (SD 3.06) years underwent non-cardiac surgery which represents 19.5%. Most of the patients were Saudis (95.6%). No difference was observed between genders. Most of the patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgeries were intubated for >120 minutes. None of the children who underwent plastic surgeries were admitted to pediatric Intensive care unit (PICU). Mortality within 20 days after the non-cardiac surgeries was 0.
Conclusion: 19.5% represents the proportion of 0-14-year-old CHD children who underwent non-cardiac surgeries in KASCH in the period of Jan 2020-Dec 2021. The commonest CHD in our study group was patent ductus arteriosus defect which comprised 8 (17.8%) of the patients. Plastic 14 (26.9%) and gastrointestinal 14 (26.9%) surgeries were the most frequent non-cardiac surgeries performed. 20 days mortality is 0. None of the children who underwent plastic surgeries were admitted to PICU, intubated for more than 120 minutes, or stayed in the hospital for more than 5 days. Future studies on this topic with a larger population from several health centers are needed to help determine the future of non-cardiac interventions for this vulnerable patient group.
Categories: Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Cardiology

Key words: congenital heart disease, non-cardiac surgeries, children, proporion.