[Care of the critically ill child with heart disease in Spain].
BACKGROUND
The objective of the present study is to present the organization of the resources of paediatric cardiac critical care in Spain.


METHODS
Data were collected through questionnaires sent by e-mail to Spanish PICUs.


RESULTS
22 PICUs were enrolled. The median number of beds were 9.5 (4-18 beds). Total cardiac admissions represented a 20 % of total PICUs admissions per year, firstly for congenital heart defects, and secondly for respiratory problems. Cardiac surgical activities were carried out in 16 centres, centralized in PICU in 10 cases. Mechanical support of the myocardium was performed in 7 PICUs. A total of 10 participating PICUs considered echocardiograph training necessary and also an increase in the amount of activity for better results.


CONCLUSIONS
Paediatric cardiac critical care involves a significant use of resources, including PICUs with no surgical activity. This study is useful for detecting common problems and for improving clinical care.
Vázquez Martínez
J L
JL
Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. jvazquez.hrc@salud.madrid.org
Pérez-Caballero
C
C
Alvarado Ortega
F
F
Milano Manso
G
G
Jaraba Caballero
S
S
Díaz Soto
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires