Complications Of Heart Catheterization In Children

Diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization attempts have recently been increasing. Numerous complications may develop after cardiac catheterization, including local complications, such as thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, bleeding, infection, and distal embolization at the catheter insertion site, as well as complications associated with the anesthetic agents, such as respiratory depression, tachycardia and bradycardia. A total of 120 patients, who underwent cardiac catheterization between June 2010 and June 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were aged from 9 days to 15 years (mean 3.5±4.2 years) and 58 (48%) were female and 62 (52%) were male. Of the 120 patients, 102 (85%) underwent a diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedure, whereas in 18 (15%) patients an interventional procedure was performed. Complications were encountered in 7 (5.8%) patients, aged from 9 days to 15 years (3.5±4.2 years). There were femoral hematoma in two patients, femoral bleeding in one patient, femoral thrombosis in two patients, bradycardia in one patient, and a patient developed respiratory arrest during sedation (with midazolam). Femoral venous thrombosis, which was seen in two patients, was treated with low molecular weight heparin in one case and with low molecular weight heparin and pentoxifylline in the other. Two patients who developed femoral hematoma underwent local treatment. One patient developed resistant bradycardia, for which a temporary pacemaker was inserted. A patient with femoral hemorrhage was treated with protamine sulfate. One patient, who developed respiratory arrest due to midazolam, was treated with respiratory support. All patients were discharged in a good condition after the treatment. The complications in patients who underwent cardiac catheterization in our clinic, and the risk factors for these complications were analyzed retrospectively. Patients undergoing cardiac catheterization should be closely monitored in terms of possible local and general complications. The incidence of the complications can be reduced by taking appropriate measures. The morbidity and the mortality can be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment of the complications.