Effect of Gastrointestinal Malformations on the Outcomes of Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

Mery and colleagues retrospectively reviewed outcomes of 383 neonates and infants undergoing repair of congenital heart defects to determine if the presence of congenital gastrointestinal (GI) malformations affected cardiac surgery outcomes. Although long-term survival after discharge was similar between groups, patients with thoracic GI malformations had worse perioperative outcomes than controls. The authors conclude that GI malformations do not contraindicate cardiac repair, however they suggest that families receive appropriate counseling on the risk.