Postoperative Infection in Developing World Congenital Heart Surgery Programs: Data From the International Quality Improvement Collaborative.

Background: Postoperative infections contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality after congenital heart disease surgery and are often preventable. We sought to identify risk factors for postoperative infection and the impact on outcomes after congenital heart surgery, using data from the International Quality Improvement Collaborative for Congenital Heart Surgery in Developing World Countries.

Methods And Results: Pediatric cardiac surgical cases performed between 2010 and 2012 at 27 participating sites in 16 developing countries were included.

Nonfluoroscopic imaging systems reduce radiation exposure in children undergoing ablation of supraventricular tachycardia.

Background: The current standard of care for imaging during supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ablation uses fluoroscopy, which exposes otherwise healthy children to the potential harmful effects of radiation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the adjunct use of nonfluoroscopic imaging reduces radiation exposure during SVT ablation among children.

Methods: This was a prospective, controlled, single-center study of patients age ≥8 years, weight ≥25 kg, with SVT and normal cardiac anatomy.