Heart Center: What We Treat
A congenital heart defect is a problem with the structure of the heart that is present at birth. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of major birth defect.
A baby's heart begins to develop shortly after conception. During development, structural defects can occur. These defects can involve the walls of the heart, the valves of the heart and the arteries and veins near the heart. Congenital heart defects can disrupt the normal flow of blood through the heart. The blood flow can
- Slow down
- Go in the wrong direction or to the wrong place
- Be blocked completely
Treatment for the defect can include medicines, catheter based interventions, surgery and heart transplantation. The treatment depends on the type and severity of the defect and a child's age, size and general health. Today, many children born with complex heart defects grow to adulthood and lead productive lives.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Overview of Congenital Heart Disease
- Complex Heart Problems
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
- Truncus Arteriosus
Factors Contributing to Congenital Heart Disease
Fetal Circulation
Heart Defects Causing Extra Blood Flow through the Lungs
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
- Atrioventricular Canal (AV Canal or AVC)
- Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA)
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
Heart Defects Causing Obstructions to Blood Flow
Heart Defects Causing Too Little Blood Flow through the Lungs
Living with Congenital Heart Disease
Diagnosing & Evaluating Heart Disease in Children
- Blood Tests
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Chest X-Ray
- CT (Computed Tomography) Scan
- Echocardiography
- EKG / ECG
- Exercise (EKG / ECG) Testing
- Fetal Echocardiography
- Holter Monitoring
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Physical Examination
- Tilt Table Evaluation
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Ultrafast / Electron Beam CT Scan
