Interventional Cardiology
Pediatric interventional cardiology can treat some heart diseases in children. A specialist will thread a long, thin tube called a catheter into the heart through a blood vessel.
Heart Cath Lab
Interventional heart procedures are performed at University Hospital in a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab just for children. In this special heart cath lab, our pediatric cardiologists diagnose and treat many heart problems without major surgery.
Interventional cardiology can be used to diagnose a problem. Your child's doctor can take pictures, or angiograms, of the heart or blood vessels, make measurements or take a tissue sample. Some congenital heart defects can also be improved or corrected through a variety of interventional procedures.
Each of our team members in the pediatric cardiac catheterization lab is certified in pediatric advanced life support (PALS). Children of all ages may qualify for pediatric interventional cardiology.
Conditions We Treat
- Aortic valve stenosis
- Atrial septal defect
- Branch pulmonary artery stenosis
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Pulmonary valve stenosis
- Ventricular septal defect
Our interventional team at University Children’s Health Heart Center performs a range of pediatric interventional cardiology procedures.
We also offer a complete range of pediatric electrophysiology services. A cardiac electrophysiologist treats heart rhythm problems. We use cardiac catheterization to treat problems with the heart’s electrical system, including irregular heartbeats.
Pediatric electrophysiology specialists offer:
- ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) implantation
- Implantation of loop recorders to help diagnose the cause of fainting or heart palpitations
- Pacemaker implantation
- Treatment of irregular heartbeat through ablation (creation of scar tissue), either with heat or cold
Before surgery, your child may not be allowed to eat or drink for several hours. You will check in at the pediatric cardiac catheterization lab on the day of the procedure. The procedure may last several hours, and our staff members will provide you with frequent updates during this time.
Recovery may take several hours after the procedure, and you’ll be able to go into your child’s room during this time. Depending on the child’s age and the procedure, your child may have to stay overnight for observation.
We want your child’s stay with us to be as pleasant as possible. Please feel free to bring the following comfort items:
- Favorite blankets, pillows, etc.
- Formula (if your child needs it for feedings)
- Pajamas
- Stuffed animals
- Toys, movies, games, etc.
