Cardiac Arrest in Children Following Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review of Contributing Factors

Abstract

Nearly half of children experiencing cardiac arrest following cardiac surgery do not survive hospital discharge and patients who survive often experience significant neurological impairment. Additionally, increased resource utilization following cardiac arrest translates into adverse logistical and financial consequences. Although some studies have identified patient characteristics that increase the risk of cardiac arrest after pediatric cardiac surgery, modifiable risk factors, which could provide a foundation for effective prevention strategies, have been elusive. This scoping review explores the current knowledge surrounding risk factors associated with cardiac arrest in children following cardiac surgery and provides recommendations for future research.

Keywords: Cardiac arrest; complications; outcomes; resuscitation; risk assessment.