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Guidelines for Management of Congenital Heart Disease

October 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you are wondering what the procedure and guidelines for Management of Congenital Heart Disease diagnostic, the National Guideline Clearinghouse of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided a thorough summary. Below is a brief excerpt from the guideline:

Evaluation of the Unoperated Patient

  1. Clinical examination for signs of atrial septal defect (ASD)
  2. Imaging studies (e.g., electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging)
  3. Maximal exercise testing
  4. Cardiac catheterization

Management Strategies

Medical Therapy

  1. Cardioversion after appropriate anticoagulation
  2. Rate control and anticoagulation

Interventional and Surgical Therapy

  1. Percutaneous or surgical closure of the ASD
  2. Concomitant maze procedure for intermittent or chronic atrial tachyarrhythmias in adults

Postintervention Follow-Up

  1. Evaluation for postpericardiotomy syndrome with tamponade
  2. Annual clinical follow-up in defined patient subgroups
  3. Evaluation for possible device migration, erosion, or other complications

Reproduction

Discouragement of pregnancy in patients with ASD and severe pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) (Eisenmenger syndrome)

For the complete guideline, please visit the website here.

Filed Under: Guidelines, Heart Health
avatar About N. Trinh

Nancy Ngan Trinh is a recent graduate from UCLA with a degree in Sociology and English. She is passionate about working in higher education. Her special interests include contemporary literature, musical theatre, coffee and traveling.

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