Interventional methods of treatment of pediatric cardiac defects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13112/pc.1080Keywords:
HEART DEFECTS, CONGENITAL; CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION; METHODSAbstract
Objective: This paper aims to present the current possibilities of interventional treatment in the Republic of Croatia through a retrospective analysis of our data, with a special focus on specific methods.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data regarding cardiac catheterizations performed at the Pediatric Clinic, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2024. Descriptive statistics of the cases were performed, specifically focusing on the percentage of catheterizations involving interventions and interventions representing new methods introduced during this period.
Results: During the specified period, a total of 866 catheterizations were performed, distributed as follows: 129 in 2020, 184 in 2021, 189 in 2022, 215 in 2023, and 149 in 2024. Of the total 866 catheterizations, 289 (33.4 %) involved interventions. Some interventional methods had been introduced earlier, such as Rashkind balloon atrial septostomy, performed in 50 patients during this period, balloon dilatation for neonatal aortic (15 patients), and pulmonary stenosis (15 patients), among others. During this period, 105 cardiac biopsies were done, mostly in cardiac post-transplant patients. New methods introduced and established during this time included Melody valve implantation in the right ventricular outflow tract (6 patients), stent placement in native coarctation, recoarctation, and pulmonary branch stenosis (20 patients), dilation of existing stents (13 patients), closure of aortopulmonary collaterals in patients with univentricular hearts, and closure of venovenous collaterals in univentricular heart patients (8 patients).
Conclusion: The current possibilities for interventional treatment in the Republic of Croatia are high, with a steady increase in the number of procedures, the proportion of interventions within the total number of procedures, and the complexity of interventional procedures. A heart murmur is an auscultatory phenomenon caused by turbulent blood flow through cardiac structures or blood vessels. Although many murmurs are not pathological, their occurrence can indicate various cardiac conditions, including valvular diseases, congenital heart defects, and cardiomyopathies. This article reviews the etiology of heart murmurs, diagnostic methods for their detection and evaluation, and clinical significance for treatment planning.
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