title: Cardiac catheterization in the early post-operative period after congenital cardiac surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to demonstrate that early cardiac catheterization, whether used solely as a diagnostic modality or for the use of transcatheter interventional techniques, can be used effectively and with an acceptable risk in the post-operative period.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Cardiac catheterization offers important treatment for patients with congenital heart disease. Early post-operative cardiac catheterization is often necessary to diagnose and treat residual anatomic defects. Experience with interventional catheterization to address post-operative concerns is limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective cohort study. The medical and catheterization data of pediatric patients who underwent a cardiac catheterization ≤30 days after congenital heart surgery between November 2004 and July 2013 were reviewed. Patients who underwent right heart catheterization and endomyocardial biopsy after heart transplantation were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 219 catheterizations (91 interventional procedures, 128 noninterventional catheterizations) were performed on 193 patients. Sixty-five interventions (71.43%) were dilations, either balloon angioplasty or stent implantation. There was no difference in survival to hospital discharge between those who underwent an interventional versus noninterventional catheterization (p = 0.93). One-year post-operative survival was comparable between those who underwent an intervention (66%) versus diagnostic (71%) catheterization (p = 0.58). There was no difference in the incidence of major or minor complications between the interventional and diagnostic catheterization cohorts (p = 0.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiac catheterization, including transcatheter interventions, can be performed safely in the immediate post-operative period after congenital heart surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: George T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Dennis W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Robert N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Brian E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Kogon
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic address: petitc@kidsheart.com.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Petit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000401:mortality; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000401:mortality; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: cardiac catheterization; congenital cardiac surgery; congenital heart disease