EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN SUSPECTED CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Abstract

Congenital cardiac diseases (CHDs) may sometimes lead to acute cardiac and respiratory failure, requiring emergency measures. Both cyanotic and non-cyanotic CHDs carry a significant risk of unfavorable prognosis, depending on their hemodynamic impact. Taking into account the fact that not all health facilities benefit from the presence of a pediatric cardiologist, a minimum knowledge of the evidence of deterioration due to cardiac causes is important for general pediatricians. The initial measures include oxygen therapy and ensuring an adequate blood flow to maintain acceptable levels of oxygen and tissue perfusion. From the multitude of congenital cardiac anomalies, obstructive lesions of the left heart, those that associate left to -right shunts, as well as severe cyanogenic anomalies are those with the highest degree of emergency addressability and in which surgical intervention cannot be delayed.

Keywords

• cyanotic heart disease
• non-cyanotic heart disease
• emergency care
• clinical examination