Three-year experience with immediate extubation in pediatric patients after congenital cardiac surgery.

Background: In pediatric cardiac anesthesiology, there is increased focus on minimizing morbidity, ensuring optimal functional status, and using health care resources sparingly. One aspect of care that has potential to affect all of the above is postoperative mechanical ventilation. Historically, postoperative ventilation was considered a must for maintaining patient stability.

Non-invasive cardiac output monitor validation study in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.

Study Objective: To validate a non-invasive cardiac output monitor in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.

Design: Prospective trial.

Setting: Operating room.