Telemedicine now pervades almost every aspect of the practice of pediatric cardiology. Simply defined, telemedicine means using technology to practice medicine at a distance–and it is now used on a daily basis for clinical care, education, research, and administrative tasks.…
Introduction The complexity of congenital cardiac lesions and increased requirements for imaging studies and interventions in this growing patient population necessitate the specialized skills of the pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist. The great majority of these practitioners undergo primary training in anesthesiology,…
Introduction “Screening” in the field of pediatric cardiology is currently implemented in many different areas. The interest and opportunities for screening have increased and evolved along with the increase in our knowledge base. Screening currently includes in utero screening for…
An estimated 15 million children die or become disabled annually by treatable or preventable heart disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Sadly, for 90% of children with heart disease, treatment is either unavailable, unaffordable, or of suboptimal quality. Global…
Introduction The field of congenital heart disease is expansive in the breadth of patient complexity and exciting in the continuous improvement in patient outcomes. Several tools have been used to achieve improvement in patient outcomes over the past several decades.…
Malnutrition Nutrition is fundamental for growth and neurologic development during childhood. However, malnutrition and growth impairment are common worldwide in infants and children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Growth failure is often multifactorial and may be attributable to inadequate energy…
Communication between the cardiologist and providers of primary care is an essential component of the medical care of the patient and is of increasing importance in the current era, which is marked by increased complexity of medical testing and polypharmacy.…
Introduction Nursing professionals use data and information about their patients’ care journeys to support decision making and the development of evidence-based practice. Care pathways provide a structured care approach using an evidence-based framework. In her work during the Crimean War…
Introduction Although descriptions of congenitally malformed hearts date back more than 200 years, the field of pediatric cardiology began to rapidly change in the 1950s, when surgical interventions to treat congenital heart disease (CHD) were created. The development of cardiopulmonary…
Introduction What outcomes really matter to patients, families, and societies living with the implications of congenital and acquired pediatric cardiac disease? Survival and physiologic function are certainly paramount. Dramatically improved survival and reduced morbidity for virtually all congenital and acquired…