Cardiac Intensive Care and Management of Cardiac Arrest in Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Pediatric cardiac intensive care units provide highly specialized care for infants and children with congenital and acquired cardiac disease. There are a number of key elements that ensure this care is at the highest standard. Cardiac patients are at high risk for decompensation and cardiac arrest. Successful resuscitation and survival depend on specific factors including early recognition of deterioration, provision of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and awareness of physiologic differences in this patient population. Post-cardiac arrest care is critical to avoiding further deterioration and optimizing neurologic recovery.