The utility and safety of temporary pacing wires in postoperative patients with congenital heart disease

Intra-operative arrhythmia predicts post-operative arrhythmia and the need for temporary pacing wires

“…Longer aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times, severely reduced ventricular function, high serum lactate at the time of discharge from the operating room, and presence of two or more intracardiac catheters have been reported as predictors for the use of pacing wires post-operatively. 18,19 It is well known that patients with single-ventricle physiology require atrioventricular synchrony to maintain adequate cardiac output. Using the above-mentioned predictors in single-ventricle patients and those lesions previously mentioned at highest risk for developing junctional ectopic tachycardia could improve our programmatic sensitivity substantially to near 100% based on the data presented.…”

“…Longer aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times, severely reduced ventricular function, high serum lactate at the time of discharge from the operating room, and presence of two or more intracardiac catheters have been reported as predictors for the use of pacing wires post-operatively 18 19 It is well known that patients with single-ventricle physiology require atrioventricular synchrony to maintain adequate cardiac output.…”

Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care – Cardiovascular Management: Nursing Considerations

“…Poor heart rate variability or cannon waves on a left atrial (LA) tracing may be important indicators of an abnormal rhythm. Temporary epicardial pacing wires are often placed following congenital heart surgery for the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias [38,39]. Accurate diagnosis and prompt management are essential to reduce the effects of low cardiac output related to an arrhythmia.…”

Bipolar Versus Unipolar Temporary Epicardial Ventricular Pacing Leads Use in Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

“…Electrophysiological abnormalities are common (incidence 14–29%) during the postoperative period after heart surgery, especially for congenital heart disease, leading to hemodynamic instability . Temporary epicardial pacing leads have become an essential modality for maintaining hemodynamic stability after surgery for congenital heart disease .…”