The safety of pediatric cardiac catheterization in an adult hospital setting.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety of performing diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization of neonates, infants and children in a laboratory located in an adult hospital.

DESIGN

Retrospective medical record review.

SETTING

Children's Hospital of Western Ontario.

PATIENTS

All patients 18 years or younger undergoing cardiac catheterization procedures performed by pediatric cardiologists between January 1986 and December 1989.

MAIN RESULTS

The total number of procedures performed was 289. Three major (1%), nine moderate (3%) and 20 minor (7%) complications were documented with none fatal. These rates are comparable with complications documented for larger centres with dedicated pediatric catheterization facilities.

CONCLUSION

Although less than ideal, the use of an adult facility for pediatric cardiac catheterization appears to be a safe and reasonable alternative.