ECGS AS A ROUTINE PREOPERATIVE ASSESSMENT IN CHILDREN

Objective:The aim of this study is to examine whether a routine preope rative ECG is necessary in children to assess the risks in anaesthesia and surgery. Methods: We examined the records of 3030 children anaest hetized in our hospital in 1990 and compared records of complications with preoperative ECGs. We also evaluated questionnaires on this subje ct which we had sent to 51 large pediatric hospitals in Germany in 199 1. Results: During 3030 anaesthetic procedures there were 93 complicat ions, 67 of which were not of cardiac origin. Of the 26 cardiac compli cations only 4 needed therapy (AV-Block 2 degrees, fall in blood press ure). Preoperative ECGs were recorded in 180 cases: 152 were normal,8 showed harmless deviations from normal and 16 were recorded because of known cardiac defects. None of the 180 children developed complicatio ns during anaesthesia. Our questionnaire was returned completed carefu lly by 36 of the 51 hospitals. ln most hospitals a preoperative ECG is only recorded when heart disease is known or suspected. Conclusion: R outine preoperative ECGs are unnecessary in children unless there are clinical symptoms of heart disease or heart disease is suspected.