International pediatric cardiac assistance in Croatia: results of the 10 year program.

AIM: In an effort to help alleviate the lack of an adequate pediatric cardiac surgical service that existed in Croatia following 1991 the International Childrens Heart Foundation (ICHF) was asked to provide the necessary surgery. Initially, this project was undertaken as a humanitarian program to provide pediatric cardiac operations. After 5 years, the Republic of Croatia financially sponsored the program. The intended purpose of the Government Sponsored Program was to provide staff education, clinical services, and the development of an organized pediatric cardiac service team in country. The surgical results of the humanitarian program and the educational and surgical results of the Government sponsored program are reported.

METHODS: Review of 3 separate databases maintained in country and the database of the ICHF in Memphis, Tennessee, was undertaken. Risk classification of the operations performed was performed using the Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery method.

RESULTS: A total of 32 trips (11 during the Humanitarian Program, and 21 during the Government Sponsored Program) were made between April 1993 and July 2003. A total of 601 primary operations (151 - Humanitarian Program, 450 - Government Sponsored Program) were preformed. Overall mortality in the cardiac surgical department for the Government Sponsored Program was 11%, non-risk adjusted. There were 4 senior surgeons, 3 surgical residents, 6 cardiac anesthesiologists, 2 pediatric intensivists, and 3 pediatric cardiologists involved in the educational program.

CONCLUSIONS: The combination of humanitarian and government sponsored pediatric cardiac surgical missions provided 601 Croatian children with operations. Substantial progress was made in the areas of anesthesia, perfusion, and postoperative care in the cardiac surgical intensive care unit. Despite these improvements a number of issues still exist that prevent the development of an independently functioning full service pediatric cardiac program.