Emergency ()

Non-surgical Management of Congenital Heart Diseases

Non-surgical Management of Congenital Heart Diseases
Book Appointment
in Cardiology

Apr 19, 2022

Congenital heart diseases were initially managed surgically, however with the development of newer devices, smaller size catheters and balloons; we are able to treat congenital heart diseases with minimally invasive techniques in the present times. Traditionally, those children who were treated surgically used to take a minimum of 8-10 days from surgery till discharge, but using interventional techniques a child can be treated on day care basis or at the most one day admission is required.

Hence, it not only reduces the hospital stay but also reduces the morbidity significantly. Progress in interventional cardiology has also given birth to the hybrid procedures that are combination of cardiac intervention and surgical management. In these procedures, the initial part of the treatment is done in the Cath lab and the remainder part is done surgically, which in turn again reduces the operative time as well as the morbidity.

The defects which can be cured by non-surgical methods are as follow:

  1. Atrial Septal Defect (ASD):An ASD means that there is a hole between the left atrium and the right atrium, as a result of which blood flows from left side of heart to the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries, putting additional volume load on the right side of the heart. Majority of these defects are closed using interventional techniques such as an ASD device which is FDA approved. Children from 2 years of age to adults can be cured using this technique, but is limited by the fact that only ostium secundum ASD can be closed with this.
  2. Ventricular Septal Defect: In this disease there is a communication between the two ventricles. Techniques to close this defect are not as advanced as closure of ASD or PDA.
  3. Patent Ductus Arteriosus: The Ductus is a vessel present in foetal life connecting the Pulmonary artery with aorta, which is essential for the survival of foetus. After the birth of the baby this communicating vessel closes, but in some cases, it remains patent leading to a PDA. Traditionally this was closed surgically, but now upto 90% of these cases are closed using catheter technique, i.e. by plugging the ductus with PDA device. Now days, with advent of small devices which pass through small catheters, the ductus can be closed in very small Preterm babies as well.
  4. Stenotic valves: Stenotic valves which impede the movement of blood from the right side of heart is called pulmonary stenosis. This congenital malformation of narrow valves can be dilated using balloons without causing damage to the valve and the neighboring blood vessel.
  5. Stenotic Artery: Narrowing of blood vessels can happen congenitally or post operatively. These narrow vessels exert load on the heart. In order to relieve this obstruction, catheter-based interventions using balloons and balloon mounted stents are quite successful.

Limitations: A major limitation of these interventions is that they cannot be used in very small babies because of high chances of damage to the vessel. In spite of the above-mentioned limitation, it could be concluded that catheter-based interventions play a pivotal role in the management of congenital heart diseases.

Recent Blogs
Air Pollution and Its Dangerous Impact on Your Health
In today's fast-paced world, where urbanization and industrialization are on the rise, the air we breathe is becoming increasingly polluted. This has led to a concerning array of health issues, as our bodies are constantly exposed to harmful pollutants.
Continue Reading
Advanced Cardiology Treatments For Cardiac Diseases
Interventional cardiology has revolutionized cardiovascular disease treatment by providing minimally invasive techniques that have dramatically improved patient outcomes.
Continue Reading
Paras Health, Patna: From Cardiology to Neurosciences, Covering All Bases for CGHS Beneficiaries
Paras Health, Patna also developed the administrative processes and provided an express helpdesk and billing counter for all the CGHS beneficiaries.
Continue Reading
What are the Causes of Chest Pain? Understanding Chest Discomfort and When to Seek Help
Chest pain is a common symptom that can be alarming, often prompting concerns about heart problems. While chest pain can indeed signal a serious cardiac issue, it's important to understand that there are many potential causes of chest discomfort, ranging from minor to life-threatening conditions.
Continue Reading
Understanding Blood Pressure: What It Is and Why It Matters
Blood pressure is a vital health parameter that everyone should be aware of. It is a measure of the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of your arteries.
Continue Reading
Unlock Better Heart Health: Why a Low-Sodium Diet is Crucial
Maintaining a healthy heart is one of the most vital aspects of overall well-being. While there are several factors that contribute to heart health, one often overlooked element is the amount of sodium (salt) in our diets.
Continue Reading
How to Prevent Cardiac Arrest at a Young Age
Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood to the body and brain. While it's often associated with older adults or those with underlying heart conditions, cardiac arrest can strike people of all ages, including young and seemingly healthy individuals.
Continue Reading
View all Blogs