A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PEDIATRIC CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION PROCEDURE UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA WITH OR WITHOUT FEMORAL NERVE BLOCK

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric cardiac catheterization interventions become an established way of care for selected patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD). Interventional procedures in small infants become more feasible with reduced morbidity and mortality. This is related to the current availability of a wide range of choices of catheters, wires, balloons, sheaths, and flexible, low profile coronary stents as well as the improvements in pediatric anesthesia and ICU care. The current balloons and coronary stents can be delivered through a 4 to 5 Frech sheaths.