Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
Overview
In children, cardiac surgery is done for the treatment of congenital heart defects and acquired heart diseases that need surgical management.
Children may have congenital or acquired heart diseases.
Today, congenital heart anomalies in the pediatric population can successfully be treated. Thanks to treatments performed with advanced surgical techniques at Centers with Pediatric Surgery Clinic, the pediatric population can maintain their lives as healthy adults.
It is possible to identify those problems with advanced methods and eliminate them with surgery immediately after birth. Similarly, heart disease diagnosed in children can also be managed with surgical or non-surgical procedures. However, pediatric cardiac surgeries can be performed at specialized centers. A number of those centers can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Pediatric heart diseases can develop secondary to various heart anomalies. The most common one is the "blue baby syndrome," characterized by the leak of venous blood into arterial circulation. The skin color of these infants is purplish, and poor exercise capacity is widespread. The picture may sometimes include fainting. On the other hand, some infants can develop anomalies that cause a leak of arterial blood into the venous circulation. In these infants, lung infection is widespread that is followed by heart failure.
Another group of heart diseases faced in infants is rheumatic heart disease. The disease usually originates from bacterial colonization in the throat and leads to impaired heart valves.
Moreover, rhythm disorders can sometimes develop secondary to congenital heart anomalies or even without any reason.
The most common complaints of children with heart problems are bruising, getting tired quickly, and cyanosis that is provoked by crying, running, or even walking. Walking a few steps, the child gets tired and needs to rest by crouching. Mothers need to be aware of such symptoms and have the child examined by a doctor if a family history is notable for heart disease.
Pediatric heart diseases can be treated successfully with operative or non-operative (medications) methods. Open or closed techniques can be used for pediatric cardiac surgery. In cardiac catheterization, the femoral vessel is punctured, and the catheter is advanced to the heart to occlude holes and dilate stenotic segments.
Since pediatric heart surgery is a particular field and is much more complex than adult cardiac surgery, it requires perfect teamwork and a multidisciplinary approach. This team is formed by pediatric cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, and physiatrists. A pediatric heart surgery clinic in a facility is regarded as a good reference for the facility. Recently, significant achievements have been obtained in pediatric heart surgeries.
At Medicana Hospitals, congenital disorders and acquired heart diseases of all pediatric age groups - ranging from newborns to children- are diagnosed and treated using cutting-edge devices by healthcare professionals who are experienced in this field.
Diagnostic methods used for pediatric heart diseases in our hospital:
Non-invasive diagnostic methods:
• Electrocardiogram
• Telecardiogram
• Echocardiography
• Holter monitoring
• Cardiac stress (treadmill) test
Semi-invasive diagnostic methods:
• Cardiac MRI
• Cardiac CT
Invasive diagnostic methods:
• Conventional cardiac catheterization and angiography:
This method is employed when non-invasive examinations fall short or extra information is needed. Newborns and minor children may require sedation or general anesthesia.
Angiography devices, called Flat Panel, which maximize the quality of angiography images, are available only in a few centers, including our hospital, in Turkey, and worldwide.
Medicana Hospital Group is one of the pioneering facilities where quality services are rendered using novel technologies by experienced pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and anesthesiologists to diagnose and treat congenital heart diseases.
Fetal Echocardiography: (Examining the heart of the fetus)
Remarkable advancements in diagnosing fetal anomalies within the last fifteen years originate from the splendid development of ultrasound imaging techniques. Recently, the development of high-resolution ultrasound devices has resulted in the ability to examine the anatomy and anomalies of the fetal heart.
Fetal Echocardiography is a more complex and complicated examination than routine obstetric ultrasound. Therefore, it should be considered for patients with a high risk of cardiac anomaly. Indications of fetal echocardiogram are addressed in three categories: fetal, maternal, and familial.
The result of a cardiac surgery depends on the child's overall health, the disease, and the type of surgery. Most children recover completely and proceed into a routine and active life.
At Medicana Hospitals, medical and surgical care of your child is undertaken by cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiovascular surgery nurses, and imaging technicians. The entire team consists of specialists who are well-trained and educated in the field of pediatric heart diseases. In addition, our pediatric cardiovascular surgery team cooperates with other specialists in your hospitals. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures the best possible care.
Those specialists, each acting as a team member, create a comprehensive care plan to address many aspects of health in case of heart disease. Starting at your first visit, you will meet a professional team committed to meeting your family's medical, physical, and emotional needs. We take each step to make your family's healthcare experience manageable.
