- arrhythmia (also called dysrhythmia)
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a fast, slow or irregular heartbeat. Fetal arrhythmias are diagnosed before birth by ultrasound exams.
See also Arrhythmia; Cardiovascular-thoracic surgery; Institute for Fetal Health
- cardiac (heart) arrhythmia
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abnormal rhythm of the heart beat. Fetal cardiac arrhythmias are diagnosed before birth by an ultrasound exam of the pregnant mother.
See also Cardiovascular-thoracic surgery; Critical care (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit); Heart transplant program; Institute for Fetal Health; Mending hearts, shaping futures
- congenital heart disease
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a heart problem present at birth, caused by improper development of the heart during fetal development. Fetal diagnosis of heart disease can be made before birth by ultrasound examination.
See also Atrial septal defect; Cardiovascular-thoracic surgery; Coarctation of the aorta; Heart transplant program; Hypoplastic left heart syndrome; Institute for Fetal Health; Neonatology (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit); Patent ductus arteriosus; Ventricular septal defect
- heart failure and cardiomyopathy
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a history and physical examination that suggests that the child's heart is unable to meet the body's demands either at rest or with exertion
See also Cardiovascular-thoracic surgery; Heart transplant program; Jonathan's new heart (video)
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
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a term used to describe blood pressure that is above the normal range
- hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (also called idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis)
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an enlarged heart muscle that causes impeded blood flow
- hypoplastic left heart
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abnormally small growth of the heart's major pumping chamber. Fetal hypoplastic left heart is diagnosed by ultrasound and requires special preparations for optimal care at delivery.
See also Cardiovascular-thoracic surgery; Critical care (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit); Institute for Fetal Health; Kajsa battles hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- myocarditis
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an inflammation of the heart muscles.
- pericarditis
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an inflammation or infection of the sac which surrounds the heart.
- radiofrequency ablation
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a technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to treat abnormalities of heart beat in children and adolescents
- Reye syndrome
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A specific disease process that can affect the liver, brain, pancreas, kidney, heart, and muscle. Reye syndrome usually occurs in children under 18 years of age, and typically starts with a red rash, vomiting, and confusion that follows a viral infection. This can lead into seizures, coma, and breathing problems. The cause of Reye syndrome is not known although a variety of factors are thought to be involved, such as genetics or the use of aspirin during a viral illness.
- rheumatic fever
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a disease caused by a strep infection that may damage the heart valves.
- sinus tachycardia
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a heart rhythm that originates in the sinus node and proceeds through the rest of the electrical conduction system, but is faster than normal.
- supraventricular tachycardia
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a fast heart rate that originates in the upper chambers of the heart (atria) but does not start in the sinus node.
- tachycardia
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an usually fast heart rate
See also Arrhythmia; Mending hearts, shaping futures; Rewarding moments
- tetralogy of Fallot
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The group of heart defects present at birth includes a ventricular septal defect, obstruction to blood flow out of the right ventricle to the lungs, and an aorta that is shifted to the right. Enlargement of the right ventricle occurs as the right ventricle copes with obstruction of blood flow. Fetal tetralogy of Fallot is diagnosed by ultrasound before birth so that special preparations can be made for optimal care at delivery.
See also Cardiovascular-thoracic surgery; Institute for Fetal Health; Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF); Cardiology patient recalls her Children’s Memorial experience from 50 years ago