Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to identify the economic burden to the state due to delay of
cardiac cauterization as a diagnosis as well as a therapeutic measure for patients with
congenital heart defects admitted to the pediatric ward of the cardiology unit of the national
hospital of Sri Lanka. The disease pattern of CHD patients admitted to the cardiology unit
was similar to what was observed in previous studies done in the same unit.VSD was the
commonest lesion followed by TOF,ASD, PS, TGA, and PDA. of the common lesions, TOF
had a strong male preponderance where as all other lesions showed a female dominance.
Majority of the patients were referred after the age of one year (74.2) whereas only 25.8
were referred during the first year of life. Considering the large sum estimated for additional
stay of patients due to delay in catheterization the constructions and equipment of a new
catheter unit after careful cost benefit analysis is recommended. Possibility of obtaining
services from the private sector is discussed as an alternative solution. Importance of early
detection of CHD patients and referring them for intervention during infancy is emphasized
to improve the quality of life of such patients and to reduce the mortality from CHD
