Pediatric Anesthesia for Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology Studies

Abstract

In recent years interventional procedures have been intro duced to the field of pediatric catheterization. These proce dures continue to develop and be applied to patients with reduced cardiovascular reserve as an alternative to cardiac surgery or when cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary by pass is contraindicated. More frequently anesthesiologists are being called on to provide support in sedating, anesthe tizing, or resuscitating these patients. As more compli cated procedures are performed, the anesthetist plays a pivotal role in the management of the patient to prevent mortality and major morbidity in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.