Review article
https://doi.org/10.26800/LV-145-supl5-14
Report on the work of the Reference center for pediatric cardiology Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia
Daniel Dilber
; Klinika za pedijatriju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, KBC Zagreb, Zavod za pedijatrijsku kardiologiju, Referentni centar za pedijatrijsku kardiologiju RH
*
Dalibor Šarić
Dorotea Bartoniček
Marina Mihalec
Matija Bakoš
Darko Anić
Dražen Belina
Željko Đurić
Mislav Planinc
Filip Rubić
Toni Matić
Miran Cvitković
Sandro Dessardo
Slobodan Galić
Vanja Zvonar
Vanja Ille-Matić
Ruža Grizelj
Nada Sindičić Dessardo
Dorotea Ninković
Željko Čolak
Sanja Konosić
Filip Luka Mikulić
Dorotea Šijak
Milivoj Novak
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The aim of this report is to show in the past three-year period (2019–2022):
1)activities of the Reference Center,
2)achieved professional results and the application of new methods, procedures, and improvement of the profession, and
3)scientific and professional cooperation with high-level foreign institutions. Results: The reference center is the only place in the Republic of Croatia that continuously cares for the population of the most vulnerable children with cardiac pathology. It has continuous, 24-hour cardiology, cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, neonatal and intensive care for children with complex congenital and acquired heart diseases. Organ function replacement are also available (ECMO support, LVAD-BiVAD, Berlin-Heart pump, hemodialysis, heart/other organ transplant program) thanks to the teamwork and cooperation of different Departments. Complex cardiac surgeries are performed in children with a clear trend of increasing the number and complexity of surgeries, with low mortality. Today, we can independently treat almost all congenital heart defects in children. About 200 cardiac catheterizations are performed in children annually. More than 40% are interventional procedures with more than 50% of these interventions performed in infancy. In the past three years, five new percutaneous intervention methods have been introduced: stent insertion in native coarctation and in recoarctation, stent insertion in stenosis of the pulmonary branches, percutaneous valve insertion in the pulmonary position, dilatation of the existing stent, and closure of aortopulmonary collaterals in children with a univentricular heart. The steps were made by the continuous efforts of team members with support, mentoring, and continuous cooperation with foreign experts from three foreign institutions (DeutschesHerzZentrum Muenchen, KinderherzZentrum Linz, KidsHeart- Center Budapest). Conclusion: Our center stands alongside the rare centers in Europe that can perform the abovementioned procedures. The activities resulted in the improvement of the quality of care and form the basis for further development of the profession within the framework of our country.
Keywords
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY; CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS; CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION; INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES; TEAMWORK
Hrčak ID:
309013
URI
Publication date:
10.10.2023.
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