Outcomes of Children with Unoperated Congenital Heart Disease Admitted to PICU-A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the outcomes of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) awaiting surgery admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with acute illness.

METHODS

In this retrospective study from a single center, the outcomes of children up to 18 y of age with unoperated CHD admitted to PICU with acute illness and factors affecting the outcomes, were evaluated.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight (41 boys) children were included. Median age was 3.2 (1.5, 6) mo. Thirty-six (62%) children had acyanotic CHD (ACHD), and 22 (38%) had cyanotic CHD (CCHD). Most common ACHD was ventricular septal defect (n = 14; 38.8%) and CCHD was double-outlet right ventricle (n = 6; 27.2%). Twenty-four (41%) children underwent surgery - 10 (41.6%) palliative procedure and 14 (58.3%) corrective procedure. Hospital mortality was 50%. Of the operated children, 37.5% died and of the nonoperated children, 58.8% died. Type of the heart disease and surgical intervention was not associated with mortality (p = 0.27 and 0.11). Requirement of vasoactive agents was associated with increased mortality (p = 0.02). In children with ACHD, factors associated with mortality were lower score for weight for age (p = 0.03) and weight for length (p = 0.04), lower admission pH (p = 0.02), hemodynamic instability at admission (p = 0.002), and requirement of vasoactive agents (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Children with unoperated CHD with acute illness have high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and surgical interventions in children with CHD are warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial Registration No. IECPG-571/21.10.2020.