The Neonate After Cardiac Surgery: What do You Need to Worry About in the Emergency Department?

Neonates with congenital heart disease are susceptible to several life-threatening complications after surgical correction or palliation of their cardiac lesion. This article focuses on common surgeries in neonates with congenital heart disease as well as postoperative complications that may be encountered in the emergency department. The recognition and management of hemodynamic, infectious, and intrathoracic derangements as well as common postoperative dysrhythmias will be discussed. Approaches to airway management, vascular access, and procedural sedation in this patient population will also be addressed.