Important Residual Lesions and Early Unplanned Reinterventions after Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
Updated: September 01, 2026
- An early unplanned cardiac reintervention refers to the unanticipated need for a surgical, catheter-based, or both types of procedures during the same hospitalization as the index operation. Common reasons include an incomplete preoperative diagnosis, a failed therapeutic plan, a suboptimal correction of the heart defect, or some combination of the above.
- Early unplanned cardiac interventions occur in approximately 5% of all cases; younger patients undergoing more complex operations are at greater risk. Wide center-level variation exists in the incidence of early unplanned interventions, highlighting an opportunity for collaborative learning.
- Future research is needed to develop high-risk prediction tools and care bundles to minimize the incidence and impact of important residual lesions. Efforts to expand pediatric cardiac surgical training to integrate emerging technologies such as simulation, video-based learning, and three-dimensional modeling may be beneficial.
Recommended Reading
- Perioperative Considerations for Pediatric Patients With Congenital Heart Disease Presenting for Noncardiac Procedures
- Multimodality Approach to Coronary Ischemic Testing in Pediatric Patients
- Long-Term Management of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Dysfunction in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test Interpretation Across the Lifespan in Congenital Heart Disease
- 2024 Guideline for Perioperative Cardiovascular Management for Noncardiac Surgery