Congenital Heart Disease

People who are born with heart problems (congenital heart disease) have unique medical issues. Each type of congenital heart disease is different and requires individualized care and follow up. Unlike adults, heart attacks or myocardial infarctions in children are exceptionally rare, but children are more likely to have congenital issues that affect their heart function. Pediatric cardiologists diagnose and put together care plans to address structural abnormalities and abnormal electrical disturbances that cause irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias. The experts at Wasatch Pediatric Cardiology are prepared to work closely with you or your child’s primary care providers to coordinate the best comprehensive care possible. Drs. Su and Jou have extensive training and expertise in dealing with children and in treating children with heart problems.

Congenital Heart Disease Q & A 

What types of conditions does pediatric cardiology treat?

Pediatric cardiologists address heart problems in children, which can be categorized into structural and rhythm heart diseases. The types of congenital heart diseases are numerous, but common ones include:
Holes between the chambers of the heart (atrial septal defect / ventricular septal defect)
AV canal defect (AV septal defect)
Tetralogy of Fallot
Transposition of the great arteries
Coarctation of the aorta
Truncus arteriosus
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Tricuspid atresia/pulmonary atresia
Double outlet right ventricle
Dilated Aorta - aortopathy
Abnormal chamber sizes and/or function
Aortic or pulmonary valve dysfunction
Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve
Cardiomyopathy (hypertrophic vs. dilated)
Long QT syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
Supraventricular tachycardia

Pediatric cardiologists also evaluate many types of acquired heart disease. These include:
Kawasaki disease
Rheumatic heart disease
Syncope
Chest pain

Most tests can be performed in the office at the time of your visit. In some cases, hospital inpatient appointments are made for more advanced imaging tests and invasive procedures.