The mortality of children operated by congenital heart diseases went from 8% in 2014 to 1.4% so far this year.
This is one of the best results of the intervention and creation of the Pediatric Cardiac Unit from the National Children’s Hospital. The intervention came after a series of deaths that occurred in the cardiology service. They were revealed at the beginning of 2014.
Eduardo Da Cruz, Brazilian physician in charge of the intervention, stated that the hospital has made extraordinary progress.
As explained by Javier Brenes, head of the Cardiac Surgery Unit, 520 children with congenital malformation have been operated. In the past, only emegencies were assisted.
Hospitalization time was also reduced: it went from 9.5 days to 4.5 days.
Authorities are planning to implement programs to identify cardiac problems in fetuses, train staff who specialize in performing cardiology procedures in fetuses and strengthen neonatal screening.
It will also be necessary the implementation of a program that controls these patients in adult life.