The Types of Pediatric Heart Disease We Treat

There are essentially two types of heart disease in children:

Congenital heart disease is a heart defect or structural problem that is present at birth. Congenital defects can range from holes between chambers of the heart to the absence of one or more heart chambers or valves. Types of congenital heart defects we treat include:

• Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) – Abnormal blood flow between two of the major arteries connected to the heart
  Atrial septal defect (ASD) – A hole in the part of the septum (heart wall) that separates the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common ASD.
• Ventricular septal defect (VSD) – A hole in the part of the septum (heart wall) that separates the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart
• Atrioventricular (AV) canal defect - Occurs when there's a hole between the chambers of the heart and problems with the valves that regulate blood flow in the heart.
• Valvular defects – The valves control the heart’s blood flow and can have the following types of defects:
• Stenosis (thickening or narrowing) which prevents the valve from fully opening (pulmonary valve stenosis is the most common valve defect)
• Atresia which occurs when a valve doesn’t form correctly and lacks a hole for blood to pass through
• Regurgitation which occurs when a valve doesn’t close completely so blood leaks back through the valve
• Tetralogy of Fallot – A complex heart defect that is a combination of four different defects
• Arrhythmias – Heart rhythm abnormalities caused by disturbances in the heart’s electrical system (Brugada syndrome is one such arrhythmia that is a hereditary disease)
• Cardiomyopathy – Disease of the heart muscle (this can be genetic or acquired)
• Coronary artery fistulas (CAF) – An abnormal connection between a coronary artery and the right side of the heart or pulmonary artery
• Pulmonary hypertension –A type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart 
• Cyanotic Ventricle or “Blue Heart” – An abnormal blood flow resulting in low blood oxygen levels. Related conditions include single ventricle, hypo-plastic left heart syndrome, and transposition of the great arteries or “TGA”

Acquired heart disease is a condition that develops sometime during childhood. Types of acquired heart disease include:

• Kawasaki disease – An inflammatory disease that affects the tissues of the heart and blood vessels
• Rheumatic heart disease – Caused by the same bacteria that causes strep throat
• Infective endocarditis – Infection of the lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium) caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream
• Cardiomyopathy – Disease of the heart muscle (this can be acquired or genetic)