Influence of echocardiography in pre-operative cardiac catheterization in congenital heart disease.
The influence of echocardiography on pre-operative cardiac catheterization was assessed in a retrospective analysis comparing two 12-month periods. Of 245 operations in 1983, 200 (82%) had pre-operative cardiac catheterization when two-dimensional echocardiography only was used in the pre-operative assessment compared to 162 of 238 (68%) operations in July 1985-June 1986 when pulsed Doppler echocardiography also was used (P less than 0.001). Significant reductions in pre-operative cardiac catheterization were present in both open (87/87 vs 89/102, P less than 0.001) and closed (113/158 vs 73/136, P less than 0.005) heart procedures. The group with the most significant reduction in pre-operative cardiac catheterization before open heart surgery were children with atrial septal defects; of the closed heart surgical groups, the greatest reductions were in patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta and tetralogy of Fallot. Echocardiogram diagnostic errors occurred in 22/245 (9%) in 1983 compared to 9/238 (4%) in 1985/86 (P less than 0.05). Echocardiography has resulted in a significant reduction in pre-operative cardiac catheterization and has become more accurate in diagnosis.
D'Orsogna
L
L
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Sandor
G G
GG
Patterson
M W
MW
Ashmore
P G
PG
LeBlanc
J
J
Culham
J A
JA
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004452:Echocardiography; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies