Congenital heart disease.

Authors

Katherine Dolbec, Maine Medical Center
Nathan W Mick, Maine Medical Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2011

Institution/Department

Sports Medicine; Emergency Medicine; Pediatrics

Journal Title

Emergency medicine clinics of North America

MeSH Headings

Emergency Service, Hospital, Heart Defects, Congenital, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Shock

Abstract

Pediatric congenital heart disease comprises a wide spectrum of structural defects. These lesions present in a limited number of ways. An infant presenting with profound shock, cyanosis, or evidence of congestive heart failure should raise the suspicion of congenital heart disease. Although most congenital lesions are diagnosed in utero, the emergency physician must be aware of these cardinal presentations because many patients present in the postnatal period around the time that the ductus arteriosus closes. Aggressive management of cardiopulmonary instability combined with empiric use of prostaglandin E(1) and early pediatric cardiology consultation is essential for positive outcomes.

ISSN

1558-0539

First Page

811

Last Page

827

Recommended Citation

Dolbec, Katherine and Mick, Nathan W, "Congenital heart disease." (2011). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 2081.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/2081