Congenital Heart Conditions at The Children's Hospital
Prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart defect is a term that describes heart conditions that are present at birth. According to the American Heart Association, about 40,000 children are born with a heart defect each year. There is nothing that parents could have done to prevent these defects. While there are 35 identified heart defects, no two children’s heart problems are exactly alike. In many cases, heart defects are found coupled with other heart conditions, which means that tests and treatments can vary with children who are diagnosed with the same condition.
Most defects today are treated with surgery, catheter procedures, and sometimes medication. Thanks to advances in techniques, surgical and heart catheterization procedures can offer treatments for congenital heart defects that once could not be treated effectively. Adults also live with unrepaired congenital heart disease; learn more about the treatment of adult congenital heart disease at The Children’s Hospital.
Congenital Heart Conditions We Treat
Septal Defects: heart defects caused by a hole in the septum wall of the heart, which separates the left and right sides of the heart
Defects Causing Obstruction in the Heart or Blood Vessels: the narrowing or blockage of blood flow
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Aortic Stenosis (AS)
- Coarctation of the Aorta
- Pulmonary Stenosis (PS)
Cyanotic Defects: heart defects that cause blood that is pumped to the body to have less than the normal amount of oxygen needed
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Ebstein’s Anomaly
- Pulmonary Atresia
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Transposition of the Great Arteries
- Tricuspid Atresia
- Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR)
- Truncus Arteriosus
Problems with Development of the Heart
Other Heart Problems