AT HEALTH FOR CHILDREN CLINIC, WE ARE DEDICATED TO OFFERING SPECIALIZED CARE FOR CHILDREN AFFECTED BY CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES (CHDS)—COMPLEX BIRTH DEFECTS IMPACTING THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE HEART.
From common conditions like atrial and ventricular septal defects to complex cases such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, our clinic provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic and treatment options tailored to each child’s needs.
Our expert team of cardiologists and surgeons utilizes advanced techniques, including both traditional surgical interventions and minimally invasive catheterization, to offer effective, lifesaving solutions. Based in Türkiye, our clinic serves as a global healthcare hub, welcoming children from regions where access to specialized cardiac care is limited.
We combine Turkish medical excellence with a compassionate, patient-centered approach, bringing hope and healing to young patients and their families worldwide.
CHDS CAN BE DIAGNOSED INUTERO (BEFORE BIRTH) WITH ULTRASOUND, OR SHORTLY AFTER BIRTH WITH A PHYSICAL EXAM AND AN ECHOCARDIOGRAM (AN ULTRASOUND OF THE HEART).
Treatment for CHDs varies depending on the type and severity of the defect. Some CHDs can be corrected with surgery, while others may require medication or other interventions.
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Surgery is the most common treatment for CHDs. There are many different types of surgical procedures that can be used to repair or replace heart defects. The specific procedure that is best for a particular patient will depend on the type and severity of the defect.
Some of the most common surgical procedures for CHDs include:
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair: A hole in the wall between the heart's two lower chambers can be closed with a patch or a piece of tissue.
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Atrial septal defect (ASD) repair: A hole in the wall between the heart's two upper chambers can be closed with a patch or a piece of tissue.
Pulmonary stenosis repair: Narrowing of the valve that allows blood to flow from the heart to the lungs can be corrected by widening the valve or replacing it with a new valve.
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Tetralogy of Fallot repair: A combination of four heart defects that can cause cyanosis (blueness of the skin) can be corrected by closing the VSD, widening the pulmonary valve, and repairing the right ventricle.
Transposition of the great arteries repair: The two main arteries of the heart are switched. This can be corrected by a procedure called an arterial switch operation.
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Hypoplastic left heart syndrome repair: The left side of the heart is underdeveloped. This can be corrected by a series of surgeries, including the Norwood procedure, the Glenn shunt procedure, and the Fontan procedure.
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CATHETERIZATION IS A MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURE THAT CAN BE USED TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT SOME CHDS.
A catheter is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the heart. Once the catheter is in place, doctors can use it to see inside the heart, take measurements, and deliver medication or other treatments.
Some of the most common catheterization procedures for CHDs include:
Balloon valvuloplasty: This procedure is used to widen a narrowed heart valve. A balloon is inflated inside the valve, which stretches the valve open.
Angioplasty: This procedure is used to widen a narrowed blood vessel. A balloon is inflated inside the blood vessel, which stretches the vessel open.
Stent placement: This procedure is used to keep a widened blood vessel open. A stent is a small, mesh tube that is inserted into the blood vessel. The stent helps to keep the vessel open and prevents it from narrowing again.
Surgical treatment for CHDs is a complex procedure, but it can be very successful in correcting the defect and improving the patient's quality of life. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, most people with CHDs can live long and healthy lives.