Effectiveness and safety of paediatric interventional cardiac catheterisation in a subregional cardiothoracic unit.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness and safety of paediatric interventional cardiac catheterization during the development of the service.


METHODS
Sub-regional Paediatric Cardiothoracic Centre.


METHODS
All paediatric admissions for cardiac catheterisation between January, 1985 and December, 1992. Data were collected on all patients in whom interventional cardiac catheterisation was performed excluding babies undergoing balloon atrial septostomy. Results were compared with those reported previously by the larger centres.


RESULTS
One hundred and seventy eight interventional procedures were performed in 158 patients, progressing from pulmonary valvuloplasty (1985) and aortic valvuloplasty (1986) to arterial duct occlusion and coil embolisation of shunts (1991). During the study period there was a rise in the number and variety of conditions for which interventional cardiac catheterisation was performed. In terms of morbidity, mortality and technical success, results compared favourably with those published from larger centres.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventional cardiac catheterisation in children can be established effectively and safely in a relatively smaller set up.
Sadiq
M
M
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Groby Road Hospital, Leicester, England.
Fenton
A C
AC
Chan
C
C
Leannage
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001021:Aortic Valve; D002300:Cardiac Care Facilities; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011664:Pulmonary Valve; D016896:Treatment Outcome