Waiting time for transfer of patients with prostaglandin dependant congenital heart defects to tertiary cardiac centers

• Published in: Journal Of The Saudi Heart Association 2012-04, Vol.24 (2), p.79-83
• Main Authors: Al Mesned, Abdul Rahman, Al Akhfash, Ali A., Sayed, Maha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Full Length; Prince Sultan Cardiac Center-Qassim; Prostaglandin dependant congenital heart defects; Waiting time
• ISSN: 1016-7315; 2212-5043
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsha.2011.10.004

Worldwide congenital heart defects (CHD) are the leading cause of infant deaths owing to congenital anomalies. Delay in diagnosing and operating in neonates with prostaglandin dependant CHD may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To assess the time interval needed for acceptance and transfer of patients with critical CHD to a tertiary cardiac center and the impact on the patient’s survival. Study design: Retrospective database reviews of all cases diagnosed to have prostaglandin dependant (PG) CHD at Prince Sultan Cardiac Center-Qassim during a 43months period (from May 2007 to December 2010). Results: During the study period 104 patients were diagnosed to have PG dependant CHD. Patients with PG dependant systemic circulation constitute 60% of patients. Patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) associated with coarctation of the aorta constituted 16% of patients. The mean waiting time for transfer to a tertiary cardiac center was 10±10days. Twenty-two (21%) patients died while waiting for acceptance and transfer. Eleven patients were diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). There was no significant difference in the waiting time for those with or without HLHS, with a mean of 9days for both. Six of our patients had infections with positive blood cultures. The mean waiting period for those with proved infection was 25days compared with 8days for those with no proved infection (p value