Adverse events in pediatric cardiac catheterization: Initial experience of Sohag university hospital

ObjectiveTo determine incidence and risk factors of adverse events associated with pediatric cardiac catheterization in the initial experience of our institution.Patients and methodsThe retrospective cohort study was conducted on 262 children with congenital heart disease who received cardiac catheterization in our catheterization between April 2010 and April 2013. Diagnostic CC was performed in 176 patients and therapeutic CC in 86 patients. All children’s electronic and paper chart records were reviewed to obtain demographic, procedural, and treatment data. The severities of AE were further classified into minor, moderate and higher severity AE including levels 3, 4 or 5 AE.ResultsOf 262 patients (147 females, 55.4%), AE occurred in 31 studies (11.8%), in children ranging in age from 3 days to 16 years. There were 7 patients with higher severity AE (2.7%), 7 patients with moderate AE (2.7%) and 17 patients (6.5%) with minor AE. Vascular complications represented the majority (n = 12; 38.7%). Two children died within 24 h (0.7% of total case numbers). The risk factors for a complication included patient low body weight and the second year of our institution experience.ConclusionsPediatric cardiac catheterization by well trained team of pediatric cardiologists in a new center is effective. The rate of occurrence of AEs approximated to those which are reported by various interventional pediatric cardiology centers around the world. The lower body weight and the second year of initial experience are risk factors for occurrence of AE.