Open-heart surgery in pediatric patients with end-stage liver disease

Little is known about the safety of pediatric cardiac surgery in children with end-stage liver disease. We reviewed our experience with 4 patients with biliary atresia or Alagille's syndrome who underwent repair of ventricular septal defect and tricuspid regurgitation, atrioventricular canal, subaortic stenosis, or supravalvular aortic stenosis. One patient died on postoperative day 2. All other patients survived to discharge. At follow-up, 1 patient died at home awaiting liver transplantation and the remaining patients are doing well. One patient received a successful liver transplant. Pediatric cardiac surgery in children with end-stage liver disease can be done safely, albeit with a higher mortality.