Waiting time for transfer of patients with prostaglandin dependant congenital heart defects to tertiary cardiac centers

Abstract

There are a significant number of patients with severe CHD who die while waiting for acceptance and transfer to a tertiary cardiac center. The causes for delay could be the presence of infection, prematurity and low birth weight. The limited numbers of tertiary cardiac centers in Saudi Arabia as well as cardiac ICU beds are among the factors delaying the acceptance of patients requiring cardiac surgery.