Seminal Postoperative Complications and Mode of Death After Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Procedures.

Background: Understanding the seminal complications leading to death after pediatric cardiac surgical procedures may provide opportunities to reduce mortality. This study analyzed all deaths at two pediatric cardiac surgical programs and developed a method to identify the seminal complications and modes of death.

Methods: Trained nurses abstracted all cases of in-hospital mortality meeting inclusion criteria from each site over 5 years (2008 to 2012).