title: [Practice Guidelines of the Spanish Society of Cardiology in the postoperative course of congenital heart diseases].
abstract: Improvements in myocardial protection, surgical techniques, and perioperative care have made it possible to achieve better prognosis in most congenital heart defects. This requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to patient care, based on the preservation of adequate oxygen delivery to vital organs. It is important to have an understanding of normal postoperative status after cardiac surgery so that abnormal postoperative convalescence can be identified and treated.The causes of abnormal convalescence may be grouped into three categories: a) the pathophysiology of the defect before surgery and the acute changes in physiology that result from surgery; b) the effects of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest on organ function, and c) the presence of residual anatomic defects. These conditions may result in prolonged convalescence as well as increased morbidity and mortality. Three primary hemodynamic pathophysiologic disturbances may occur during the postoperative period and lead to abnormal convalescence: left ventricular dysfunction, right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Though sometimes not directly related to either the cardiac defect or surgery, specific problems involving different organs may alter the normal postoperative period. Neurologic, pneumologic, renal, gastrointestinal and infective complications are discussed separately.
authors.affiliation: Sociedad Española de Cardiología, Hospital del Niño Jesús, Avda, Menéndez Pelayo, 65. 28009 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baño Rodrigo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Domínguez Pérez
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fernández Pineda
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gómez González
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D013997:Time Factors; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance