Pediatric interventional cardiology specializes in diagnosing and treating heart diseases in children through minimally invasive procedures. This allows complex heart conditions to be treated without requiring open-heart surgery, making it a safer and more effective option for pediatric patients.
Interventional cardiology
Pediatric interventional cardiology focuses on the management of congenital and acquired heart diseases using advanced catheter-based techniques.
These procedures are performed in cardiac catheterization laboratories equipped to visualize the heart and its structures in real time.
One of the main advantages of pediatric interventional cardiology is that it offers a less invasive alternative compared to traditional surgery, resulting in lower complication rates, less postoperative pain, and shorter recovery times.
Some of the most common procedures performed in pediatric interventional cardiology include:
- Septal defect closure: using occlusion devices to treat conditions such as atrial septal defect or patent ductus arteriosus.
- Valvuloplasties: dilation of narrowed heart valves using high-pressure balloons.
- Angioplasties: widening of narrowed arteries, such as in coarctation of the aorta.
- Arrhythmia treatment: radiofrequency ablations or cryoablation to correct abnormal electrical circuits.
To achieve this, highly specialized equipment is used to perform procedures with precision.
Key equipment includes:
- Diagnostic and interventional catheters: designed to access heart chambers and blood vessels, tailored in size and length for children at different growth stages.
- Occlusion devices: used for septal defect closure.
- Balloon catheters for valvuloplasty and angioplasty: used to dilate narrowed heart valves or obstructed arteries.
- Coronary and vascular stents: metallic tubes placed in arteries or vessels to keep them open.
- Fluoroscope: guides catheters and devices during procedures.
- Transesophageal and intracardiac echocardiography: provides detailed visualization of heart structures.
- Electrophysiological mapping system: maps and treats arrhythmias in children.
- Hemodynamic monitoring systems: measure pressure, flow, and oxygenation in the heart and vessels.
These are some of the tools and equipment that make pediatric interventional cardiology procedures possible.
Protocols, pediatric cardiology
Accessing pediatric interventional cardiology requires following pediatric cardiology protocols, which are clinical guidelines designed to standardize medical care for pediatric patients with heart disease.
Following these protocols ensures that children receive treatments based on the best available evidence, considering the anatomical and physiological particularities of their age.
In pediatric interventional cardiology, protocols also optimize the selection of devices and techniques. This ensures procedures are performed effectively and with minimal impact on children’s health.
Clinical and interventional pediatric cardiology
Clinical and interventional pediatric cardiology are complementary branches of pediatric heart care. Both disciplines work together to ensure a comprehensive approach, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up.
Clinical pediatric cardiology focuses on non-invasive evaluation and management of heart disease in children, using medications to treat conditions such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or arrhythmias. Additionally, clinical cardiology refers pediatric patients for interventional or surgical procedures when necessary.
Collaboration between both subspecialties is essential to provide personalized and effective care, maximizing benefits for pediatric patients and reducing complications.
Pediatric interventional cardiology is a fundamental specialty for managing various heart diseases in children. Thanks to its minimally invasive approach and ability to address complex problems, it has improved the quality of life of thousands of children living with these conditions.
Pediatric interventional cardiologist near me
At the ABC Medical Center’s Pediatrics Center, we have a team of interventional cardiologists, highly trained and dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized care for all your cardiology needs.
Our pediatric interventional cardiologists in Mexico City are committed to your well-being and use the latest technology and most advanced treatments to manage conditions such as pulmonary valve stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, atrial and ventricular septal defects, and more.
