Paediatric (Ped) Cardiac Surgery

Pediatric heart surgery is a specialised field of medicine that focuses on treating congenital heart defects (CHD) and acquiring heart diseases in infants, children, and adolescents. 

Some defects can be managed with medications and conventional treatments, while others may require immediate surgeries. Our doctors perform a range of surgeries depending on the nature of the child's condition. The recovery period for most minor surgeries is one month, while those undergoing complex surgeries may need 8-6 weeks for full recovery.

Our expert paediatric cardiac surgeons are dedicated to providing exceptional care and treatment for children with heart conditions. Our team of paediatric cardiac surgeons are skilled in various procedures, such as:

• Atrial septal defect repair: This involves repairing a hole in the wall separating the atria (two upper chambers of the heart). 
• Ventricular septal defect repair: This involves repairing a hole in the wall separating the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart). 
• Tetralogy of Fallot repair: This involves repairing four heart defects that occur together, including a hole in the ventricular septum, a narrowing of the pulmonary valve, an enlarged right ventricle, and an aortic override. 
• Transposition of the great arteries repair: This involves switching the positions of the pulmonary artery and aorta, which are reversed in this condition. 
• Coarctation of the aorta repair: This involves widening a narrow section of the aorta ( the major artery that carries blood from the heart to other body parts). 
• Fontan procedure: This is a series of surgeries that redirect blood flow in children born with only one functional ventricle in the heart. 
• Arterial switch operation: This involves switching the position of the pulmonary artery and aorta, which is required in certain congenital heart defects. 
• Ross procedure: It entails replacing the aortic valve with the patient's own pulmonary valve and replacing the pulmonary valve with a donor valve. 

Conditions treated by pediatric cardiac surgeons 

Pediatric cardiac surgeons are specialised in treating a range of conditions affecting the heart in children, such as: 

• Aortic stenosis: A heart valve disease that can cause symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and irregular heart murmurs. 
• Congenital heart disease: Structural heart problems that occur when the baby's heart doesn't develop properly in the womb. 
• Eisenmenger syndrome: A condition where irregular blood flow in the lungs and heart causes the blood vessels to become narrow and stiff. 
• Kawasaki disease: An inflammation of the coronary arteries that can cause symptoms such as a swollen tongue, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, and extremely red eyes. 
• Aorta pulmonary window: An abnormal connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery that can cause symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, and heart failure. 
• Pulmonary hypertension: A kind of high blood pressure affecting the arteries in the heart and lungs. It can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain. 
• Cardiomyopathy: A hereditary condition affecting the heart muscle; it makes it hard for the heart to deliver blood to the rest of the body. Symptoms may include dizziness, fatigue, and loss of appetite. 
• Coarctation of the aorta: A congenital condition that usually occurs with other heart defects and is characterised by the narrowing of the aorta. Surgery is usually required for treatment. 
• Endocardial cushion defect: A congenital condition that occurs due to improperly developed heart tissues and can cause symptoms such as pale skin, rapid heartbeat, inability to grow or gain weight, and feeding difficulties. 
• Tricuspid Atresia: A congenital disability where the valve controlling the blood flow is never formed, which can have a very low survival rate. Even if the baby survives, the mortality rate is typically not longer than ten years. 
• Ventricular septal defect: A congenital disability where babies are born with a hole in their heart, which can cause symptoms such as a blue tint around the skin, lips, and fingernails, fast breathing, and poor weight gain. 
• Tetralogy of Fallot: A combination of heart conditions present at birth that is typically treated with surgery during the child's early years, with ongoing care that continues throughout the child's life. Symptoms may include breathlessness and blue skin. 
• Heart murmurs: Refers to the sound of blood flowing through the heart, which can sometimes cause symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, or shortness of breath. 
• Patent ductus arteriosus: Patent ductus arteriosus is an opening in the two significant vessels leading from the heart that can cause symptoms such as rapid breathing and shortness of breath in larger cases. 
• Aortic aneurysm: It is a balloon-like bulge in the aorta that can cause symptoms such as severe back pain, low blood pressure, and a fast pulse. Surgery is typically required to treat aortic aneurysms. 
• Vascular rings: An abnormal formation of the aorta that occurs when the vessels are in the wrong place, causing breathing difficulties and noisy breathing. 
• Double outlet right ventricle: A condition where the pulmonary aorta and the aorta are connected to the right ventricle, which can cause symptoms such as rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and heart murmurs. 
• Tricuspid atresia: A condition where the tricuspid valve isn't formed at all, typically caused by genetic factors and often requiring more than one surgery to fix. It is commonly found in children with Down syndrome. 

Pediatric cardiac surgery has benefited greatly from advancements in technology. Some of the latest technologies used in pediatric cardiac surgery include: 

• 3D printing: This technology has revolutionised the field of pediatric cardiac surgery. Surgeons can now create 3D models of the patient's heart, which helps in planning surgeries and reducing the risk of complications. 
• Hybrid procedures: These procedures combine the use of traditional surgical techniques with minimally invasive techniques. This approach is particularly useful in complex cases where traditional surgery may not be feasible. 
• Robotic-assisted surgery: Robotic surgery involves the use of a robotic arm to assist during surgery. The technology allows greater precision and accuracy during surgery. 
• Transcatheter interventions: This involves the use of a catheter to repair or replace damaged heart valves without the need for open-heart surgery. This approach is particularly useful in pediatric patients who may not be able to undergo traditional surgery. 
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): ECMO is a life-support system used to support the heart and lungs in patients with severe heart or lung conditions. This technology has been particularly useful in pediatric cardiac surgery, where it can be used to support patients during and after surgery. 

At Max Healthcare, we understand how challenging it can be for parents to see their child go through a heart condition. That's why our team of experts work tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcomes for your child. We use the latest technology and surgical techniques to provide safe and effective treatments. 

If you suspect your child has a heart condition, or if you need more information on paediatric heart surgery, book an appointment through our website or the Max MyHealth app.

Review 

Reviewed By Dr Munesh Tomar - Director - Paediatric Cardiology on 30 July 2024.