Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : October 11, 2017 5:25 PM IST
It is a known fact that congenital heart disease occurs as a result of an early developmental problem in the heart s structure. As the condition restricts the flow of blood through the heart, it causes breathing problems, slowly impairing the heart function. Although the exact cause of congenital heart disease is not known, if diagnosed, it can be treated. The treatment is decided based on the severity and type of the heart disease. Some babies have mild heart defects that heal on their own with time while severe heart defects could require extensive treatment for complete recovery, says Dr Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Paediatric & Neonatal care, Apollo Hospitals. Here's more on congenital heart defects in children types and symptoms. The treatment options for congenital heart disease may include:
Medications: Various medications could increase the efficiency of the heart. Some can also be used to prevent the formation of blood clots or simply to control an irregular heartbeat.
Catheter procedures: Catheterization techniques could repair certain congenital heart defects without surgically opening the chest and heart. This is performed by inserting a thin tube into a vein in the leg and guides it up to the heart. Once the catheter is in the correct position, the doctor will use small tools threaded through the catheter to correct the defect.
Implantable heart devices: Certain complications associated with congenital heart defects can be prevented with the use of certain devices, including pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. A pacemaker can regulate an abnormal heart rate; ICD may correct life-threatening irregular heartbeats. Here are all your queries on congenital heart disease answered.
Open heart surgery: A surgeon may perform open heart surgery to close holes in the heart, repair heart valves, or widen blood vessels or other conditions which cannot cure by any other methods.
Heart transplant: In the most complex cases, the baby s heart will be replaced by a healthy heart from a donor. Heart transplantation is chosen as the last option only if all other options don t work. Heart transplants in children: Here s everything you should know
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