While a baby is still in the womb, baby’s heart development is completed during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Problems that may arise during that development period can adversely impact on the normal development of the heart, cause the formation of holes between two chambers of the heart, aortic stenosis (narrowing or obstruction) and valve defects. These diseases caused by the abnormal development of the heart in the womb, are called Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs). Many factors contribute to the development of congenital heart defects; genetic factors, external factors, etc. External factors include the existence of diabetes and rheumatic diseases owned by a mother, the development of infectious diseases during pregnancy, medication, and so on. Signs or symptoms of a congenital heart defect are accompanied by shortness of breath in a baby, fatigue and fatigue during breastfeeding, bruised lips, tongue, and nail pad, and lung infection.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). Every baby is born with open arterial blood flow. Ductus Arteriosus is a normal blood vessel that connects two major arteries - the pulmonary artery and the aorta. In PDA abnormalities, part of the oxygen-rich blood that feeds the body with oxygen through the aorta returns to the lungs. This puts a strain on the heart and causes an increase in pressure in the pulmonary arteries and a load on the left side of the heart. Treatment of PDA determined by the age of the patient or the degree of PDA lesions. Thus, the flow is blocked with the help of a catheter coil. Another method is used to perform a closed-heart surgery.
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). The congenital defect of the heart, in which the partition remains open due to the incomplete development of the atrial septum. Thus, the blood pressure in pulmonary arteries enhances due to an increase in the pulmonary blood flow. Increased blood flow to the lungs can cause an increase in blood vessels in the lungs and heart. The pathology is accompanied by suffocation, fatigue, delayed physical development, increased heart rate, pale skin, noise in the heart, “cardiac humpback”, frequent recurrent diseases of the respiratory system. In the treatment of some types of ASD, which can be closed using catheter, a patient is usually undergone to an open-heart surgery. The openings (holes) that do not close spontaneously and are exposed to the risk of increased blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, cover up at the age of 3-6 years.
Ventricular Septic Defect (VSD). Ventricular Septum. A congenital heart defect caused by incomplete atrial septation. The interventricular septum defect can vary in size. In some cases, the ventricular septum defect may be closed spontaneously at the age of 1-4 years or older. In other cases, the ventricular septal defect is surgically closed after the child reaches the age of 3 years old. If VSD is small, it can be closed directly with suturing. In large VSDs, a patch (auto or xeno-pericardium or dacron material) is placed on the defective part of the partition wall. Upon completion of surgical procedure, this patch is covered with normal heart tissue.
Fallot Tetralogy-TOF. Fallot tetralogy is a congenital heart disease involving 4 different heart anomalies. These anomalies include:
- Ventricular septal defect (ventricular septum of the heart). Left ventricular septal defect due to incomplete development of the ventricular septum is considered a congenital heart disease.
- Pulmonary artery stenosis (narrowing of the pulmonary artery or valve). The pulmonary valve is situated between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Due to the narrowness of this area, blood with insufficient oxygen level cannot be delivered to the lungs enough. A balloon dilatation (balloon valvuloplasty) method can be used for treatment of a narrowing in the opening of the pulmonary valve. An open heart surgery is applied to the majority of patients. Tissues causing stenosis are removed surgically.
- Thickening of the walls of the right ventricle. The ventricular wall is thicker than normal.
- The aorta (the main artery) is located directly above the ventricular septum and intakes blood from both ventricles.
The use of surgical procedure is considered effective for the treatment of Fallot tetralogy. Surgical procedures include intracardiac restoration (complete restoration of the Fallot tetralogy) and a temporary recovery procedure using a shunt procedure. A complete treatment of Fallot tetralogy is performed using a corrective surgery procedure.
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). Transposition of the great arteries is a congenital heart disease, characterized by transposition of the great arteries: the two main arteries carrying blood out of the heart – the main pulmonary artery and the aorta – are switched in position, or “transposed.” Symptoms of the disease include shortness of breath or dyspnea, tachycardia, malnutrition, heart failure. In children, transposition of the main arteries is usually determined at the maternity hospital. Symptoms of the pathology such as hyperactivity of the heart, enlarged chest are ascertained on physical examination. Babies born with transposition of the main vessels need urgent medical intervention. The disease is treated using several surgical methods. One of the surgical procedures performed for treatment of this pathology is called an arterial switch procedure. This is an atrial switching procedure known as atrial inversion. Using this surgical procedure, the arteries coming out of the heart are switched back to their normal positions. Another surgical method is the atrial switch procedure. During the surgery, the oxygen-rich blood returning from the body is directed to the left ventricle, instead of the right ventricle, and the oxygen-rich blood returning from the lungs is directed to the right ventricle, instead of the left ventricle.
Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage return. Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage return is a congenital heart defect characterized by the opening of all or part of the pulmonary veins to the right atrium, coronary sinus, or empty veins. Symptoms of the pathology include: fatigue, physical retardation, pain in the heart, shortness of breath, recurrent pneumonia, etc. During the treatment of Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage return, the pulmonary veins are reconnected to the left atrium and other blood vessels and the two holes between the atria (atrial septal defect) are closed.
Types of cardiac arrhythmias (arrhythmia) in children
An abnormal heart rhythm is called “cardiac arrhythmia”. The frequency and clinical significance of cardiac arrhythmias in children vary from those in adults. Although, cardiac arrhythmias are rarely found in children, the diagnosis and treatment of these ailments are extremely important. Cardiac arrhythmia is a slow, abnormal, or irregular heart rate. There are several types of arrhythmias: tachycardia, bradycardia, extraordinary premature excitation of the heart (extrasystole) – disorders of the heart beat, a heart rhythm disorder characterized by an irregular heartbeat, supraventricular (or supraventricular tachycardia) tachycardia (SVT), Wolff-Parkinson-White, Parkinson syndrome) and etc. The main symptoms of arrhythmias are accompanied by rapid or irregular heartbeat, discomfort or pain in the chest area, shortness of breath, weakness and dizziness, faintness/
Arrhythmia treatment:
Medication: Antiarrhythmic drugs are prescribed according to the type of arrhythmia.
Sometimes medications cause more symptoms and side effects.
Defibrillator: This is a small, battery-powered device with the abbreviated name ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) that is placed near the collarbone to keep track of the patient’s heart rates.
Catheter ablation methods:
There are several types of ablation techniques performed on different energy models:
Laser ablation: Catheter ablation is performed by inserting a long wire from a vein in the leg to the heart. Arrhythmia is caused by microscopic defects in the heart muscle. Once the affected tissue is detected, it is removed by catheter using freezing or heating method.
Cryoablation (freezing): Cryoablation is one of effective methods that has been extensively used around the world to treat atrial fibrillation in recent years and is shown to result in fewer side effects or complications as compared to outdated methods. Using this method, cooling or freezing is performed to the affected area of the heart at minus 150 -170 degrees. Eventually, it can help prevent a heart attack. The most important advantage of this method is the low risk of perforation (rupture) and thromboembolism (fibrillation or blood clotting) and the appearance of a continuous layer-by-layer lesion.
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation (RFA). During radiofrequency ablation is a medical procedure in which part of the heart (tissue of the heart) generating ectopic impulses is burned through small holes by using the tip of the catheter; thus, impulses are blocked and the development of arrhythmias is prevented. Over 90% success rate can be achieved in the treatment of arrhythmias using radiofrequency ablation procedure. This method enables to prevent palpitations and refrain patients from lifetime medication usage.
Every examination and operation related to the disease should be performed by a properly equipped hospital with the latest medical technology and professional academic medical staff. The Turkish Health Group will definitely direct you to the hospitals with the most modern medical equipment and professional medical staff related to your disease. Contact us for more information and a free second medical reference from a professional Turkish doctors.