Introduction
This is a life threatening paediatric cardiac emergency.
It usually occurs in infants with a peak incidence between 4 and 6 months.
A severe episode may lead to limpness, seizures, cerebrovascular accident or even death.
Spells may be brief (1-2 minutes) and self-correct or may progress to a severe, life-threatening episode.
Prompt recognition by parents and medical staff is important.
The attack is often early in the morning with no apparent reason.
It may be precipitated following a bath, by prolonged crying, defaecation, dehydration, febrile illness or induction of anaesthesia.
Causes of hypercyanotic attack
Congenital heart disease e.g. Tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary stenosis, double outlet right ventricle, tricuspid atresia, Eisenmenger syndrome
Symptoms of hypercyanotic attack
The following are the symptoms of Hypercyanotic attack
- Irritability and prolonged crying
- Deep rapid breathing
- Increased severity of cyanosis
Signs of hypercyanotic attack
- Tachycardia
- Systolic murmur
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Hemiparesis
Investigations
- FBC
- Chest X-ray
- ECG
- Echocardiography
Treatment for hypercyanotic attack
Objectives
The following are the treatment objectives of hypercyanotic attack
- To recognise the problem early
- To reverse obstruction
- To correct metabolic derangement in severe hypoxia
- To prevent complications and death from severe hypoxia
Non-pharmacological treatment
- Hold in knee chest position (teach parents)
- The above actions increase peripheral vascular resistance and help to reduce cyanosis.
Pharmacological treatment
A. All children with hypercyanotic attack
Evidence Rating: [C]
Oxygen (100%), by face mask or nasal prongs,
- 2 L/minute (monitoring oxygen saturation if possible) -to all patients to reduce hypoxia
And
0.9% Normal Saline or Ringers’ Lactate, IV,
- 10 ml/kg, over 30 minutes then assess response
And
Morphine sulphate, slow IV (preferred), or IM, if IV line not accessible,
- 100-200 micrograms/kg stat.
B. For patients with poor response to above measures
Add
Propranolol, oral,
Children
- 1 month-12 years: 500 microgram/kg 8 hourly (max. 5 mg/kg daily)
- Neonates: 500 microgram/kg 8 hourly (max. 2 mg/kg 8 hourly)
C. To correct acidosis in cyanotic patients with no improvement after 10 minutes of above treatment,
Add
Sodium Bicarbonate, IV,
For all age groups
- 1-2 mmol/kg
Note
Emergency surgical shunt may be required
D. Maintenance treatment to prevent recurrent attacks pending surgery
Propranolol, oral,
Children
- 1 month-12 years: 0.25-1 mg/kg 6-8 hourly (max. 5 mg/kg daily)
- Neonates: 0.25-1 mg/kg 8-12 hourly (max. 2 mg/kg 8 hourly)
Propranolol, slow IV with ECG monitoring
Children
- 1 month-12 years: 15-20 microgram/kg 6-8 hourly (max. 200 microgram/kg) repeated every 6-8 hours if necessary
- Neonates: 15-20 microgram/kg (max. 100 microgram/kg) repeated every 12 hours if necessary
Referral Criteria
Hypercyanotic attack is an indication for early surgery.
Refer urgently to a paediatric specialist or cardiothoracic surgeon