Complex correction of congenital heart disease

• Introduction

Congenital heart defects are a problem with the heart’s structure at birth and they could be located in the interior walls of the heart, heart valves as well as the arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart.

There are several complex forms of congenital heart diseases, which require correction by surgery.

Some of them are Holes in the heart (septal defects), Tetralogy of Fallot (combination of 4 defects) repair, Patent ductus arteriosus (blood vessel between aorta and pulmonary artery that does not close after birth) ligation, Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) (Pulmonary veins bring oxygen-rich blood to right side of heart instead of left side of heart) correction and many more.

• Complex correction of congenital heart disease is performed to treat what symptoms?

The symptoms of complex congenital heart disease vary from patient to patient depending on the number, type, and severity of the defects. Some of the symptoms include

• Rapid breathing
• Cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, nails, and lips)
• Fatigue
• Poor blood circulation

• What are the Pre-Surgery Investigations?

The pre-surgery investigation involves several tests such as a physical examination, diagnostic tests such as Echocardiography, EKG (Electrocardiogram), Chest X-rays, Pulse oximetry, and cardiac catheterization.

• What is our Expertise at Continental Hospitals?

At Continental Hospitals, our cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and pediatric cardiovascular specialists are trained to diagnose and treat patients with cutting-edge diagnostic and surgical techniques. The best doctors for the treatment of congenital heart disease in Hyderabad are practicing at Continental Hospitals.

• How is a complex correction of congenital heart disease carried out?

The correction of complex congenital heart disease is carried out by catheter procedures involving a needle puncture into the skin through which a catheter is inserted into an artery or vein that does not require surgically opening the chest. Surgical procedures involving open-heart surgeries are done to close holes in the heart with a stitch or a patch, repair or replace heart valves, widen arteries or openings to heart valves, repair complex defects depending on the position of the heart vessels. The doctors at Continental Hospitals sometimes combine catheter and surgical procedures for correction of complex congenital heart disease.

• What is the Post-Procedural Care required after a complex correction of congenital heart disease?           

After the procedures, the patients are continuously monitored and need special care by trained specialists