Reduction in child heart surgery deaths

A study in the journal “Open Heart”, which reviewed mortality rates for the 30 days post a heart operation, has demonstrated a significant reduction in child deaths.  Despite increases in numbers and complexity of surgeries the overall mortality rate has reduced from 4.3% in 2000 to 2.6% in 2010.

Professor Jeremy Pearson, from the British Heart Foundation, said: “Surgery for children born with heart defects has dramatically improved in the UK over the last 50 years, from a position where very few babies survived, to one where almost all do. This review of progress over the last ten years is highly reassuring.”

Read the study abstract here and a BBC report here.