PEDIATRIC CARDIOVASCULAR INTENSIVE-CARE - NEUROLOGIC PROBLEMS

Neurologic syndromes are among the more common extracardiac complicati ons of congenital heart disease. Major advances in the surgical manage ment of congenital heart disease have changed the neurologic risk prof ile of this population. Recent focus has been on presumed intraoperati ve cerebral injury and its prevention, and on neurologic dysfunction p resenting in the early postoperative period. The more common complicat ions in the postoperative patient include seizures and stroke; in addi tion, movement disorders, such as choreoathetosis, present major chall enges both in prevention and management. This article will focus on re cent advances in our understanding of these problems, specifically the ir clinical presentation and management. In addition, areas in need of further investigation will be discussed.