Early intervention of life-threatening cardiac malformations in the newborn

Abstract

Objective To investigate the methods of early identification and early intervention for newborn with life-threatening congenital heart disease. Methods Between January 2010 and December 2010, 223 neonates with serious congenital cardiac malformations were hospitalized in PICU of Fuwai Hospital. Results The most type of cardiac lesions was complete transposition of the great arteries, accounting for 59%(131 cases), and the second was total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, 17%(39 cases). For the primary clinical symptoms, the most common were any cyanosis, dyspnea and cardiac murmur, accounting for 91%(204 cases), 56%(125 cases) and 53%(118 cases), respectively.Fifty-nine cases developed into critical conditions such as severe hypoxia, metabolic acidosis and heart failure and were sent to PICU for emergency rescue.Early intervention included maintaining ductus arteriosus open, correcting internal environment disturbances, treatment of heart failure, and surgical treatment as soon as possible.Four cases died before operation and 10 cases were abandoned to continue care, which all died within 12 days after discharge.In 209 cases who received operation, 9 cases died.The total operation mortality was 4.3%.Within 3 to 63 month following-up, the late death was in 2 cases, 2 cases received two-stage corrective operation, and three for reoperation.The others all were in normal cardiac function and growth. Conclusion Most of neonatal life-threatening congenital cardiac malformations were ductus dependent such as transposition of the great arteries and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, which the baby needs immediate diagnosis and management for survival.Early recognition, appropriate preoperative management and operation as soon as possible are the key to rescue. Key words: Neonates; Life-threatening congenital heart disease; Early intervention,