Incidences and outcomes of intra-operative vs. postoperative paediatric cardiac arrest

Abstract

Postoperative cardiac arrest resulted in significantly longer cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration and higher mortality rates than intra-operative cardiac arrest. Fifty-nine percent of postoperative cardiac arrests were airway and respiration-related. Cardiac arrest is often the last event after progressive deterioration, and may be preventable in some cases by a higher level of care. A high level of care should be extended up to 24 h after anaesthesia completion.