Can heart defects be treated?
Key-hole procedures involve a
technique called cardiac catheterization
where a small tube is inserted into the blood vessel at the top of the leg.
This is then used to direct catheters (tubes) into the various chambers of the
heart. Sometimes these procedures are used to diagnose a problem (diagnostic
catheterization) and at other times to treat the problem (interventional
catheterization).
Holes in the heart can be closed
without surgery using an umbrella device. This device is placed across the hole
and the two discs of the device open on either side of the hole sealing it
completely. The device gradually becomes part of the heart and the heart forms
a lining or skin over the device. Device
closure is a permanent treatment and
the hole remains sealed even when the child’s heart grows.
Sometimes major blood vessels or
arteries can be blocked and this can be treated by a procedure called ‘stenting’ where a metal cage is
inserted across the narrowed part of the artery and helps to keep it open.
Many heart defects are minor and
require no treatment at all. They may only need regular monitoring. Some heart
defects require only oral medications. Some holes in the heart (atrial septal
defect, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus) and blocked valves
(pulmonary or aortic stenosis) can be treated without an open heart procedure
using key-hole techniques. More complex heart problems may require surgery.
What are key-hole procedures?
Key-hole procedures involve a
technique called cardiac catheterization
where a small tube is inserted into the blood vessel at the top of the leg.
This is then used to direct catheters (tubes) into the various chambers of the
heart. Sometimes these procedures are used to diagnose a problem (diagnostic
catheterization) and at other times to treat the problem (interventional
catheterization).
Some of the conditions that can be
treated using this technique are atrial septal defect (hole between the top two
chambers of the heart), ventricular septal defect (hole between the two bottom
chambers of the heart), patent ductus arteriosus (extra connection between the
lung artery and body artery) and coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the
body artery).
Holes in the heart can be closed
without surgery using an umbrella device. This device is placed across the hole
and the two discs of the device open on either side of the hole sealing it
completely. The device gradually becomes part of the heart and the heart forms
a lining or skin over the device. Device
closure is a permanent treatment and
the hole remains sealed even when the child’s heart grows.
Valves in the heart can become
narrowed and these can be relieved using balloons which can be placed across
the valve and expanded causing the valve to split open. This procedure which is
called ‘Balloon Valvoplasty’ is
carried out without surgery using a key-hole approach from the top of the leg.
Sometimes major blood vessels or
arteries can be blocked and this can be treated by a procedure called ‘stenting’ where a metal cage is
inserted across the narrowed part of the artery and helps to keep it open.
WHAT ABOUT EECP?WHATS YOUR OPINION..
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteMy direct experience with EECP is limited as I do not treat coronary artery disease. However I do have some knowledge of the technique and my understanding is that it should not be used instead of medication, stent implantation or bypass surgery. It can be used in addition to these treatments to help with symptoms of chest pain. Ischemic heart disease is often due to a structural blockage in the coronary arteries and if this is significant it can lead to serious consequences including loss of life. Therefore patients have to be fully investigated and started on full treatment including anti-cholesterol medications, anti-hypertensive medications, blood thinning agents, anti-diabetic medications etc. If required procedures including stent implantation, bypass surgery etc should be carried out. EECP has not yet been established as an alternative and could in fact put the patient at risk if corrective treatment is omitted. It can however be used in addition for symptom relief.