Anesthetic management of pulmonary hypertension secondary to pediatric congenital cardiac disease

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and premature mortality in pediatric patients with CHD. Estimated prevalance of pulmonary hypertension associated with CIID remains 30% in unoperated patents and 15% in surgically repaired patients. Pulmonary hypertension is associated with significant perioperative risk for major complications, including pulmonary hypertensive crisis and cardiac arrest. The aim of anesthesiologist should be to minimize increases in pulmoner vascular resistance and depression of myocardial function.