Abstract Background The use of artificial cardiac pacemakers has grown steadily in line with the aging population. Objectives To determine the rates of hospital readmissions and complications after pacemaker implantation or pulse generator replacement and to assess the impact of these events on annual treatment costs from the perspective of the Unified Health System (SUS). Methods A prospective registry, with data derived from clinical practice, collected during index hospitalization and during the first 12 months after the surgical procedure. The […]

Abstract Background Surgical site infection is an important complication after pediatric cardiac surgery, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Objectives We sought to identify risk factors for surgical site infection after pediatric cardiac surgeries. Methods A case-control study included patients aged between 1 year and 19 years and 11 months of age, submitted to cardiac surgery performed at a tertiary cardiac center from January 1 st , 2011, through December 31, 2018. Charts were reviewed for pre-, intra, and postoperative […]

Abstract Background Despite advances in surgical technique and postoperative care in congenital heart disease, cardiovascular morbidity is still high. Objective To evaluate the association between preoperative cardiovascular fitness of children and adolescents, measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and the occurrence of cardiogenic, septic shock and death in the postoperative period. Methods Prospective, observational clinic study including 81 patients aged from 8 to 18 years. In the preoperative period, the 6MWT (distance walked and […]

Introduction The Bentall procedure was described for the first time 50 years ago and has undergone several improvements through the years. This technique is considered to be a longstanding and safe procedure. However, as any surgery, it can have several complications such as anastomotic pseudoaneurism, myocardial infarction and endocarditis. In developed countries with differentiated access to health care and prophylaxis, endocarditis is an uncommon pathology, associated to frequent complications and high mortality rates. Antibiotic therapy aims to eradicate the responsible […]

Abstract Background Custodiol®-histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia is widely used. Objective To compare the outcomes of isolated coronary surgery requiring prolonged cross-clamp time (XCT) in patients receiving a single-dose HTK or multidose cold blood (MCB) cardioplegia. Methods XCT was ≥120 minutes for 148 consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary surgery (2009−2016). HTK and MCB cardioplegia were used in 38 and 110 cases, respectively. The two cohorts were compared on baseline characteristics, operative data, and early outcomes. Because risk profile and operative data differed […]