Tests Completed To Assess A Pediatric Congenital Heart Defect

If you have recently had a child and your child's physician suspects a congenital heart defect, then you may need to take your son or daughter to see a pediatric cardiologist. This professional will complete a number of different tests to evaluate the heart condition. Fortunately, the vast majority of tests are noninvasive or minimally invasive. If you want to learn a bit more about the types of tests that may be completed, keep reading.

Echocardiogram

Echocardiograms are the simplest of all examinations and involve sound waves to create images of the heart. An echo uses the same sound waves as an ultrasound, so it is essentially an ultrasound for the heart. The images completed during the ultrasound are static images. They create a grainy black and white picture that shows deformities in the structure of the heart, like small holes or openings. 

Not only can the pictures show the deformities, but they provide information on how the heart is reacting to the issue. For example, an echo can inform the cardiac professional how blood is moving through the various chambers of the heart, including the one where the hole is located. Blood flow investigations are extremely important since they determine the severity of the abnormality.

Echocardiograms are often completed in conjunction with a test like an EKG, which records the activity of the heart, how fast it is beating, and whether or not the heart rhythm is regular or not. 

Cardiac Catheteritization

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the placement of a tube through one of the veins in the leg, arm, or upper neck. Typically, the upper leg or groin area is used for the procedure and the thin catheter is moved through the blood vessel and up into the heart. When it reaches the area, a dye is released into the heart and it stains the blood vessels and chambers of the heart so a clear image can be created of the blood flow.  

The catheterization is also used to measure the heart's pressure and determine if the chambers of the heart are retaining blood or if it is leaking out. This is often important to figure out it the defect is causing a serious murmur issue or not. 

In some cases, catheterization can be used to fix certain defects. If the pediatric cardiologist things that this is possible, you will be informed of this before the procedure is completed. However, if it is not possible, then the heart doctor will typically come up with a comprehensive treatment plan after the test is completed. For more information, contact establishments like Alpert Zales & Castro Pediatric Cardiology.


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