Anesthetic management using high-flow nasal cannula therapy during cardiac catheter examination of a neonate with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Sedation during cardiac catheter examination in neonates with complex congenital heart disease is challenging, as even the slightest change in the circulatory or respiratory status can lead to hemodynamic collapse. Here, we report a case wherein we achieved adequate sedation with a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) for catheter examination in a neonate with a congenital cardiac anomaly.

An 11-day-old boy with hypoplastic left heart syndrome was scheduled for a cardiac catheter examination prior to the Norwood procedure. He underwent bilateral pulmonary artery banding (PAB) on day 1 and was receiving dobutamine, milrinone, alprostadil, and dexmedetomidine in addition to air and nitrogen insufflation via HFNC, which was applied following extubation on day 3 and nitrogen therapy on day 6 owing to persistent pulmonary overcirculation symptoms (tachypnea and low arterial blood pressure) despite bilateral PAB. A catheter examination was performed on day 11 with careful monitoring of expired carbon dioxide and observation of chest wall motion. Adequate sedation was provided with supplemental midazolam and fentanyl along with HFNC without tracheal intubation.

The findings from this case suggest that HFNC is a safe and effective tool for oxygenation during cardiac catheter examination under sedation in neonates.