Pediatric Cardiology

What is Pediatric Cardiology?

Pediatric cardiology focuses on diagnosing and treating heart conditions in children, from fetuses and newborns to adolescents. This specialty deals with congenital heart defects, rhythm disorders, and acquired heart diseases in young patients.

Comprehensive Diagnostic Services

Fetal Echocardiography: Non-invasive ultrasound of the unborn baby’s heart to detect congenital heart defects before birth.
Echocardiography: An ultrasound of the heart to visualize heart structures and assess function in infants, children, and adolescents.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, helping to diagnose arrhythmias and other heart conditions.
Holter Monitoring: A portable device worn by the child to continuously monitor the heart’s electrical activity for 24-48 hours, detecting intermittent arrhythmias.
Cardiac MRI: Provides detailed images of the heart and its blood vessels, useful for diagnosing complex congenital heart defects.

Interventional Cardiology Procedures

Cardiac Catheterization: A minimally invasive procedure where a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into the heart through blood vessels to diagnose and sometimes treat heart conditions.
- Balloon Angioplasty: Used to widen narrowed heart valves or blood vessels.
- Device Closure: For closing holes in the heart, such as atrial septal defect (ASD) or patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
- Stent Placement: To keep narrowed blood vessels open.

Surgical Treatments

Congenital Heart Surgery: Corrective surgeries to repair heart defects present from birth, such as tetralogy of Fallot, ventricular septal defect (VSD), and transposition of the great arteries (TGA).
Hybrid Procedures: Combining catheter-based interventions with traditional surgery for a less invasive approach and quicker recovery.

Arrhythmia Management

Electrophysiological Studies: Tests to diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) in children.
Ablation Therapy: Uses radiofrequency energy to destroy abnormal heart tissue causing arrhythmias.
Pacemaker and ICD Implantation: Devices implanted to regulate heart rhythm in children with slow or irregular heartbeats.

Preventive Cardiology

Risk Assessment and Counseling: Evaluating risk factors like family history, obesity, and hypertension, and providing guidance on maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Nutritional Counseling: Offering dietary advice to manage weight, cholesterol levels, and overall heart health.
Exercise Programs: Tailored exercise regimens to promote cardiovascular fitness in children.

Ongoing Care and Support

Follow-Up Appointments: Regular check-ups to monitor heart health and adjust treatments as needed.
Patient and Family Education: Providing information and resources to help families understand and manage their child’s heart condition.