Respiratory disorders in children with congenital heart diseases

The aim of this article is to focus paediatricians on respiratory disorders in children with congenital heart diseases. Respiratory complications can be structural due to airway compression or due to disruption of Starling forces and the alveolar-capillary membrane resulting in pulmonary oedema. Potential complications include atelectasis and respiratory infections, and diaphragm or vocal cord paralysis following cardiac surgery. Congenital heart diseases can be accompanied by diffuse lung diseases, especially as a result of growth abnormalities, and congenital diseases of the respiratory tract. Specific disorders occur in children with single ventricle physiology, such as plastic bronchitis and haemoptysis. Adequate diagnostic work-up and management of respiratory disorders improves the overall prognosis of children with complex heart diseases. (author)