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While congenital heart disease is not uncommon, cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) accounts for a minor fraction of them. However, when cyanosis is present, it usually indicates a severe or critical illness. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the common CCHDs, representing 7-10% of all congenital cardiac malformations. Double-outlet right ventricle (DORV) is another CCHD similar to the TOF and associated with decreased pulmonary flow, ventricular septal defect (VSD), and aorta receiving blood from both ventricles. Reduced oxygen arterial saturation and increased viscosity by polycythemia induce focal cerebral ischemia, often in the area supplied by the middle cerebral artery leading to brain abscess. Brain abscesses require craniotomy, which is a major surgery. These patients also often show features of sepsis and increased intracranial pressure. The presence of CCHD further complicates the situation, making perioperative management even more challenging. There are studies in the literature on the management of similar cases, and they report successful management in most of them. However, not all such cases need intensive postoperative management. We present four pediatric cases who had either TOF or DORV and had to undergo craniotomy for brain abscess or ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. We describe case management and highlight the critical features and cases that require prolonged postoperative critical care management., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Dey et al.)

Effective use of noninvasive ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is well-known. However, noninvasive ventilation in patients presenting with altered sensorium and severe acidosis (pH <7.1) has been rarely described. Invasive mechanical ventilation is associated with high mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and use of noninvasive ventilation over invasive ventilation is an area of investigation. We report a case of COVID-19-induced acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a 66-year-old male. His past medical history included obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, cor pulmonale, atrial fibrillation, and amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism. On presentation, he had acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, severe acidosis (partial pressure of carbon dioxide [PCO2], 147 mm Hg; pH, 7.06), and altered mentation. The patient was successfully managed with noninvasive ventilation, avoiding endotracheal intubation, invasive ventilation, and related complications. Although precarious, a trial of noninvasive ventilation can be considered in COVID-19-induced acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with hypercapnic respiratory failure, severe acidosis, and altered mentation.