Congenital Heart Disease Medical Tests & Diagnosis- OmniMedicalSearch.com

Conditions & Diseases: Cardiovascular System

Congenital Heart Disease

Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools

Different diagnostic methods to detect congenital heart defects include:

1. Physical Examination: In a physical examination, the doctor listens to the child’s heart and lungs with the help of stethoscope and listens for specific symptoms of heart defects such as cyanosis, shortness of breath, delayed growth and rapid breathing.

2. Echocardiogram: In this painless and harmless, test sound waves are used to create a moving picture of a child’s heart. The reflected sound waves depict the structure of heart permitting the doctor to have a clear view of the working of heart. If the doctor suspects a congenital heart defect in a pre-born baby, a fetal echocardiogram is advised in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy.

3. Electrocardiogram (EKG): In this test, electrical activity of the heart is detected and recorded to determine the speed of the heart beat and its steadiness or irregularity of rhythm. This test can also determine the size of the heart’s chambers.

4. Chest X-Ray: A chest x-ray can determine the size of the heart and lungs. It can also show any extra blood or fluid in the lungs.

5. Pulse Oximetry: In this test, a sensor is affixed on the fingertip or toe of a child and connected to a small computer unit that displays the oxygen content in the blood.

6. Cardiac Catheterization: In this procedure, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is passed through a vein in the arm or groin or neck to reach the heart and a dye (that can be seen on an x-ray) is injected through the catheter into the blood vessel or heart to enable the doctor to view the bloodflow through the heart and blood vessels. This test can also be used to check blood pressure inside the heart and blood vessels. Further, mixing of blood between the left and right sides is detected by this diagnostic method (25).

7. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI shows detailed structure of the heart beat and assesses weaker or damaged parts of heart.

8. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: This test determines the level of chemical activity in different areas of the heart. A decreased blood flow caused by disease or damaged muscles can be detected by this scanning method (27).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com