Pediatric critical cardiology is a medical subspecialty that combines knowledge of cardiology, critical care, and pediatrics to care for children with severe cardiovascular diseases.
Patients in pediatric critical cardiology require highly specialized care because of the complexity and life-threatening nature of their medical conditions.
These patients are usually treated in specialized intensive care units, with the support of advanced technologies, multidisciplinary teams, and specific protocols for managing cardiac emergencies.
Beyond heart-related conditions, pediatric critical cardiology also manages multisystem complications such as kidney failure and respiratory failure.
Pediatric critical care
Pediatric critical care is a set of medical services designed to care for children in critical condition or at imminent risk of death due to acute injuries or illnesses.
One of the main characteristics of pediatric critical care is continuous monitoring, with patients being supervised 24 hours a day through devices that record vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
These units are prepared to perform urgent procedures such as intubation, catheter placement, or administration of critical drugs.
Comprehensive care is provided through a multidisciplinary team that includes pediatric intensivists, specialized nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, and other medical professionals.
Pediatric critical care is essential to ensure patient stabilization and maximize the chances of recovery.
Cardiovascular critical care
Within critical care, pediatric cardiovascular critical care focuses on managing children with severe heart problems.
Beyond the general care provided in a critical care unit, cardiovascular patients receive specialized monitoring supported by transesophageal echocardiography to assess cardiac function in real time, as well as invasive hemodynamic monitoring to measure parameters such as pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac output.
In addition, advanced life support may be required, such as the use of an ECMO device, which provides circulatory support in cases of severe heart failure. Another form of support involves administering inotropic and vasopressor medications to enhance cardiac function.
These units are equipped to manage postoperative complications, with intensive supervision after corrective or palliative pediatric cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease, as well as treatment for arrhythmias, pericardial effusions, or postoperative infections.
Difference between NICU and CICU
When discussing pediatric critical cardiology, two terms frequently mentioned are the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for Newborns (CICU).
Both units are designed to treat critically ill newborns, but their approaches, resources, and objectives differ, as each responds to the specific needs of newborn patients.
The NICU focuses on providing general intensive care to newborns with severe conditions such as extreme prematurity, severe neonatal infections, or metabolic problems. These units require equipment such as mechanical ventilation for respiratory support and metabolic monitoring.
On the other hand, the CICU is designed exclusively for newborns with cardiovascular conditions, focusing on treating critical heart conditions such as complex congenital heart disease or neonatal heart failure.
The main difference between NICU and CICU lies in the conditions they treat and the resources each unit uses to treat them.
Pediatric critical cardiology is essential for treating children with severe heart diseases who require specialized intensive care.
Pediatric critical cardiologists near me
At the ABC Medical Center’s Pediatrics Center, we have a team of specialists in pediatric critical cardiology, highly trained and dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized care for all your pediatric cardiology needs.
Our pediatric critical cardiologists in Mexico City are committed to your well-being and use the latest technology and most advanced treatments to manage conditions such as acute heart failure, congenital heart disease in crisis, and more.
Fuentes:
Elsevier, Children Health, Scielo
