Key result
Hypokalemia from furosemide and apnea from PGE1 rank as top drug side effects in pediatric CHD.
Why the study?
Children with congenital heart disease often require complex pharmacotherapy, but their unique physiological profiles increase vulnerability to drug-related side effects.
Cross-Sectional (n=20)
Pediatric cardiologists identify hypokalemia, apnea, and bradycardia as frequent side effects of common CHD medications, emphasizing the need for personalized pharmacotherapy and monitoring.
Specialists' perceptions flag hypokalemia and apnea risks in pediatric CHD pharmacotherapy; cross-sectional data leaves open prospective validation before practice change.
Background and Aims Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) often require complex pharmacotherapy for symptom management and complication prevention. However, their unique physiological profiles increase vulnerability to drug‐related side effects. This study aimed to identify specialists' perspectives on drug‐related side effects and associated risk factors in pediatric CHD patients. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2024 involving 20 pediatric cardiologists and pediatric cardiology fellows. Data were collected using two 5‐point Likert scale questionnaires assessing commonly prescribed drugs, observed side effects, and associated risk factors in pediatric CHD patients. Data were analyzed using student's t ‐tests and descriptive statistics. Results According to the findings, the most frequent side effects linked to common medications were hypokalemia (Furosemide; 4.5 ± 0.69), apnea (Prostaglandin E1; 4.5 ± 0.62), and bradycardia (Sotalol; 4.41 ± 0.51). Dosage and polypharmacy emerged as major risk factors, particularly for drugs like Digoxin and Heparin. Younger age, underlying health conditions, and specific drug combinations also increased the risk of side effects. The t ‐test revealed significant associations between participants' demographics (sex, age, and work experience) and their perceptions of drug‐related side effects and risk factors. Conclusions The findings emphasize the need for a personalized approach to pharmacotherapy in pediatric CHD patients, requiring careful drug selection, dose optimization, and enhanced monitoring strategies. Drug‐related side effects highlight the importance of implementing clinical decision support systems, routine therapeutic drug monitoring, and individualized dosing adjustments to mitigate risks. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to establish causality relationships, optimize treatment protocols, and improve medication safety in this vulnerable population.
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Toni et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Congenital heart disease (n=20). Commonly prescribed drugs (e.g., Furosemide, Prostaglandin E1, Sotalol) was evaluated on Perceived frequency of drug-related side effects and associated risk factors (5-point Likert scale).
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