National Survey on Deep Sedation for Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiac Catheterization Procedures Performed at Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Institutions

Abstract

Objective: To assess the current status of deep sedation for diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization procedures performed at Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery institutions.
Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to institutions belonging to the Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery （JSPCCS） regarding general anesthesia and deep sedation administered for cardiac catheterization procedures.
Results: At 60 institutions, 9,942 cases of cardiac catheterizations procedures are performed per year. Among these, 3,694 procedures （37%） are performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation by anesthesiologists and 4,979 （50%） are performed under deep sedation by pediatricians. While in deep sedation by pediatricians, electrocardiographic monitors and pulse oximeters are used in 52/52 （100%） institutions and end-tidal carbon dioxide monitors in 8/52 （15%）. Vital signs are continuously recorded at 5-minute or shorter intervals in 15/37 （41%） institutions.
Conclusion: Pediatricians administered deep sedation for 50% of cardiac catheterization procedures in Japan. The use of end-tidal carbon dioxide monitors and the interval for recording vital signs were considered insufficient. Issuing JSPCCS guidelines on administering deep sedation for cardiac catheterization procedures and revising medical fees may improve the current situation.