Postoperative pulmonary hypertension in children with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension in the critically ill pediatric cardiac patient remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Although early surgery has markedly decreased the risk of a pulmonary hypertensive crisis, not all children throughout the world can benefit from this strategy. This chapter provides a summary of the main aspects to be taken into account in the management of acute pulmonary hypertension in the patient with cardiac disease.