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Is a routine chest X-ray indicated before discharge following paediatric cardiac surgery?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2009

Kerstin Bosse  and
Thomas Krasemann
Kerstin Bosse
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Thomas Krasemann*
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
*
Correspondence to: Thomas Krasemann MD, Evelina Children’s Hospital, Dept. of Paediatric Cardiology, Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 207 188 4562; Fax: +44 207 188 4556; E-mail: Thomas.Krasemann@gstt.nhs.uk
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Abstract

In many paediatric cardiosurgical units, a chest X-ray is routinely performed before discharge. We sought to evaluate the clinical impact of such routine radiographs in the management of children after cardiac surgery.

Of 100 consecutive children, a chest X-ray was performed in 71 prior to discharge. Of these, 38 were clinically indicated, while 33 were performed as a routine. Therapeutic changes were instituted on the basis of the X-ray in 4 patients, in all of whom the imaging had been clinically indicated. No therapeutic changes followed those radiographs performed on a routine basis.

Conclusion: Routine chest radiographs can be omitted prior to discharging patients after paediatric heart surgery.

Keywords

Congenital heart diseasepostoperative managementradiation
Type
Original Articles
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , August 2009 , pp. 370 - 371
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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