The use of anticoagulation in pediatric cardiac disease

Palliation and repair of increasingly complex congenital heart defects as well as the emergence of novel contexts has led to multiple scenarios in which a real or potential risk of thromboembolism may exist. While various anticoagulation methodologies have been well defined for adults, there are few studies relating directly to pediatric patients. This article reviews a number of specific pediatric disease states, the representative pediatric literature, and, where appropriate, the corresponding adult literature. In so doing, the art and science of pediatric cardiac anticoagulation is defined with the hope to engender further thought regarding future directions of study and therapy.