Management of common postoperative complications and conditions

The care of neonates, infants, children, and adults with acquired and congenital heart disease (CHD) recovering from cardiac surgery presents one of the most complex and rapidly evolving challenges for the cardiac intensive care provider. Successful pediatric cardiac surgery requires a comprehensive, well-coordinated team-based mode of care delivery that incorporates a broad knowledge base with efficient and sound clinical judgment. Management of the postoperative patient should reflect a firm understanding of acquired heart disease and CHD, cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, surgical interventions, cardiopulmonary bypass, advanced technical skills, and pharmacology. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the care of the postoperative patient with a focus on complications and those evidence-based management strategies that can minimize the morbidity and mortality experienced in the postoperative period.