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Clinical relevance of echocardiogram in patients with cerebral palsy undergoing posterior spinal fusion
Author(s) -
DiCindio Sabina,
Arai Lynda,
McCulloch Michael,
Sadacharam Kesavan,
Shah Suken A.,
Gabos Peter,
Dabney Kirk,
Theroux Mary C.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1111/pan.12676
Subject(s) - medicine , scoliosis , ejection fraction , deformity , cerebral palsy , cardiology , medical history , physical examination , surgery , transthoracic echocardiogram , cobb angle , spinal fusion , heart failure , physical therapy
Summary Background Spinal deformity is one of the secondary musculoskeletal problems that occur with cerebral palsy ( CP ). Of the co morbidities associated with CP and spinal deformity, cardiac function is of theoretical concern. Objective The goal of our study was to determine the clinical relevance of routine preoperative cardiology evaluation via echocardiogram for patients with CP presenting for posterior spine fusion ( PSF ) surgery. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of CP patients presenting for scoliosis surgery. The data collected for each patient included: age, sex, height, weight, Cobb angle, and medical history. All patients had a preoperative cardiac evaluation. Results Seventy‐two patients were included. The mean age was 13.6 ± 3.4 years. Left ventricular systolic function was normal in all patients; the mean shortening fraction was 39.3 ± 6.2%. No patient had more than mild insufficiency of either the semilunar or atrioventricular valve. One patient was diagnosed with aortic root dilation as well as aortic valve insufficiency. All patients had PSF surgery without changes in anesthetic or surgical plans, and no patient experienced complications attributable to a cardiac origin. Conclusion The results suggest that routine preoperative cardiology evaluation via echocardiogram for children with CP in the absence of clinical history or physical examination findings suggestive of cardiac disease is not necessary.