Pericardial effusion is the accumulation of excess fluid around the heart. The heart is surrounded by a double-layered, sac-like structure called the pericardium. The space between the layers normally contains a very small amount of fluid. Pericardial effusion is often related to inflammation of the pericardium due to disease or injury, but pericardial effusion can… Continue Reading
research
Gene Mutations for Rare Heart Disease Also Found in Kids
The same 10 gene mutations responsible for cardiac hypertrophy (thickening of the heart muscle) in adults are also associated with many cases of this rare but life-threatening condition in children, says a U.S. study. The mutations even showed up in children who had no family history of the condition, the researchers noted. Currently, little is… Continue Reading
How to sign up to be an Organ Donor
Thirteen people die each day while waiting for an organ. If everyone became an organ donor, there would be enough organs for every person who needed one. It’s free, it’s easy and it’s the last greatest gift you’ll ever give. Step 1Your first step is to visit the main Organ Donor website: http://organdonor.gov/. Once there,… Continue Reading
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart does not pump enough blood out to the rest of the body in order to meet the body’s demand for energy. The lungs may get flooded with extra blood and fluid if the left side of the heart is failing. On the other hand,… Continue Reading
Early Stenting May Be Successful Treatment Option Before Surgery for Infants with Constricted Aortas
Cardiac interventionalists and surgeons at University Clinic in Leuven, Belgium have achieved successful stent implantation and follow-up coarctectomy in premature infants suffering from aortic coarctation. Full findings are published in the March issue of Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions, the official journal of The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Aortic coarctation is a congenital condition… Continue Reading
Heart Defect (PFO) May Play Role in Sleep Apnea
Study shows that a heart defect may make sleep apnea worse through contributing to oxygen deprivation. People with sleep apnea stop breathing temporarily many times during the night, because of an obstruction of the upper airways. This breathing cessation often leads to a fall in the oxygen concentration of the blood, known clinically as oxygen… Continue Reading
Berlin Heart: Interview with Dr. Fraser
In-depth doctor’s interview with Charles D. Fraser, Jr., M.D., chief of congenital heart surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, talking about the Berlin Heart, a pediatric ventricular assist device. What is the Berlin Heart?Dr. Fraser: The Berlin Heart is a heart assist device. It is a blood pump designed to support failing circulation in… Continue Reading
Specific CHD’s and their surgeries
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Before birth, there is a natural opening between the aorta (the main artery to the body) and the pulmonary artery (the main artery to the lungs) called the ductus arteriosus. This opening usually closes shortly after birth. PDA occurs when this opening fails to close; PDA occurs in about 10% of… Continue Reading
Cardiac Cycle
Cardiac cycle is the term referring to all or any of the events related to the flow or blood pressure that occurs from the beginning of one heartbeat to the beginning of the next. The frequency of the cardiac cycle is the heart rate. Each beat of the heart involves five major stages: The first,… Continue Reading
Cyanotic CHDs May Sometimes Cause A Brain Abscess
A brain abscess, also known as a cerebral abscess or CNS abscess, is an abscess within the brain tissue caused by inflammation and collection of immune cells and infected material originating from local or remote infection sources. A brain abscess is a rare, life-threatening infection of the brain. Local sources may include ear infections, a… Continue Reading
