How Do You Get Treatment For A Congenital Heart Defect?
Each year 40,000 American babies are born with some form of congenital heart defect. Some congenital heart defects are innocuous, while others are life threatening. All congenital heart defects should be monitored carefully. Various treatments are available depending on the specific condition. Make an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist if the condition has just recently appeared and your child does not appear to be in danger. Allow the cardiologist to run diagnostic tests to determine the type, presence and severity of congenital heart disease. Diagnostic tests used by cardiologists include chest X-ray, echocardiography, electrophysiology and magnetic resonance imaging. Talk to the pediatric cardiologist about the option of treating the congenital heart defect with medication. For example, Indomethicin is a medication sometimes given to babies with patent ductus arteriosis (PDA). Other medications that may be used, include ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, inotropes, digoxin and pr
