Congenital Heart Disease

Treatment Options

Treatment options for congenital heart defects include:

I. Medications

Some of the medications most commonly prescribed include diuretics and digoxin. The diuretics aid the infant in excreting water and salts. Digoxin strengthens the contraction of heart, slows the heart beat and removes fluid from tissues (28).

II. Usage of Catheters:

A. Atrial Septal Defect: In this procedure, a catheter is guided through a vein and threaded into the heart to the septum. At this point, a tiny umbrella-like device folded up inside the catheter is positioned so as to plug the opening in the septum and the device is secured before the catheter is withdrawn from the body.

B. Pulmonary Valve Stenosis: In this method, a catheter is inserted through a vein and threaded into the heart to the pulmonary valve. Then, a tiny balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated to push apart the leaflets of the valve and the balloon withdrawn along with the catheter after deflation.

Prevention Methods

Congenital heart defects cannot be prevented, but certain measures taken before and during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of having a baby with congenital heart defects. The steps to be taken include:

1. Taking of multivitamin tablets containing 400 micrograms of folic acid can avoid serious birth defects of brain and spinal cord and may also help prevent congenital heart defects.

2. A pre-conception visit could help in testing for immunity from rubella and vaccination administered if the woman is not immune.

3. Women suffering from diabetes and phenylketonuria (PKU) must be adjusted with the necessary medication and eating habits to keep these conditions under control before and during pregnancy.

4. Pregnant women must avoid people suffering from flu or other viral infections.

5. Pregnant women must avoid exposure to organic solvents used in paints, varnishes and degreasing or cleaning agents (24).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
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