Risks of Noncardiac Operations and Other Procedures in Children With Complex Congenital Heart Disease

Within this population, we have identified independent risk factors for specific clinical outcomes. Patients before stage II palliation, undergoing more invasive procedures, and receiving inotropes, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or digoxin appear to be at risk for intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Patients with preoperative hospital LOS exceeding 14 days appear to be at greater risk for requiring postoperative mechanical ventilation. Patients with preoperative LOS exceeding 14 days, with ventricular dysfunction, receiving inotropes, and not receiving digoxin appear to be at risk for protracted hospitalization. Application of these results should assist clinicians in assessing perioperative risk.