- Heart Failure Management
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Valve Repair or Replacement
- Coronary Angioplasty Atherectomy and Stent
- Balloon Angioplasty
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
- Heart Attack
- Angioplasty
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Heart Disease
- Coronary Arteriography
- Aortic Repair Open or Repair of Arterial Aneurysm Open
- Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator ICD Implantation
- Heart Transplantation
- Open Heart Valvuloplasty of Mitral Valve Without Replacement With Robotic Assistance
- Valve Repair or Replacement Aortic Mitral Tricuspid and Pulmonary
- Mitral valve surgery - open
- Open heart surgery
Summary
A congenital heart defect is a problem with the structure of the heart. It is present at birth. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect. The defects can involve the walls of the heart, the valves of the heart, and the arteries and veins near the heart. They can disrupt the normal flow of blood through the heart. The blood flow can slow down, go in the wrong direction or to the wrong place, or be blocked completely.
Doctors use a physical exam and special heart tests to diagnose congenital heart defects. They often find severe defects during pregnancy or soon after birth. Signs and symptoms of severe defects in newborns include
- Rapid breathing
- Cyanosis - a bluish tint to the skin, lips, and fingernails
- Fatigue
- Poor blood circulation
Many congenital heart defects cause few or no signs and symptoms. They are often not diagnosed until children are older.
Many children with congenital heart defects don't need treatment, but others do. Treatment can include medicines, catheter procedures, surgery, and heart transplants. The treatment depends on the type of the defect, how severe it is, and a child's age, size, and general health.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute