What is the treatment for a Congenital Heart Defect

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are heart conditions that are present at birth. Both the structure and function of the heart may be impacted by these diseases. Congenital Heart Defects are of different types depending on which part of the heart is impacted and how severe it is.

There is no one size fits all approach for a congenital heart defect treatment as it will depend on what the defect is, how severe it is and how does it impact the child. Thus, not all children born with a congenital heart defect need heart disorder treatment. If the defect is mild, such as a small hole in the heart, the child may not need any intervention but may only need to be under observation of a good pediatric cardiologist.

The more severe congenital heart problems are known as critical congenital heart defects. Babies with critical CHDs need heart disorder treatment or early surgery within the first year of their life. Without this treatment, critical CHDs can cause serious health problems and death. Serious congenital heart diseases may also get detected during pregnancy or during a routine ultrasound examination. Others may be diagnosed shortly after birth.

The Congenital Heart Defect Treatment depends on the type and severity of the defect. Some mild congenital heart defects, such as a small hole in the heart, may close as a child grows. The heart disorder treatment for critical heart defects requires treatment soon after the child is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. Some children with complex conditions will require multiple surgeries in their life. Some examples of these multiple surgeries include Norwood, Hemi-Fontan, and Fontan surgery. There are other heart defects that can be treated with cardiac catheterization.

Broadly, congenital heart defect treatment usually involves one or more of the following:

Medications

Medications can help the heart function more efficiently. Some may also be used to prevent the formation of blood clots and to control an irregular heartbeat.

Implantable Heart Devices

Certain devices such as pacemakers that help regulate an abnormal heart rate and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) that can correct irregular heartbeats, can prevent some of the complications associated with congenital heart defects.

Catheter Procedures

Heart disorder treatment using catheter procedures permit doctors to fix or repair congenital heart defects without opening the chest and heart surgically. Here, the doctor inserts a catheter through a vein in the leg and guides it up to the heart. Using small tools threaded through the catheter, the doctor then proceeds to correct the defect. With advancement of technology many types of heart defects can be closed in the Cath Lab with catheter procedures. This congenital heart defect treatment decreases risks & complications of cardiac surgery.

Open-Heart Surgery

These may be required if catheter procedures are unable to repair a defect. These can close holes in the heart, widen blood vessels, or repair heart valves.

Heart Transplant

Some children may need a heart transplant if they have a complex congenital heart defect that cannot be repaired surgically or if the heart fails after surgery. Children may also receive a heart transplant if they are dependent on a ventilator to breathe or have severe symptoms of heart failure. During this procedure, a donor’s healthy heart replaces the patient’s heart.

The choice of the appropriate congenital heart defect treatment depends on the type of defect, how severe it is and most importantly, on what the treating pediatric cardiologist deems fit for the overall growth and development of the child. It is hence critical to always remain in close contact with the pediatric cardiologist and go for regular follow-ups.

References :

What are Congenital Heart Defects? |rnCDC

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Congenital Heart Disease - Treatment |rnCardioSmart – American College of Cardiology