Glossary of terms

cardiac (heart) arrhythmia

abnormal rhythm of the heart beat. Fetal cardiac arrhythmias are diagnosed before birth by an ultrasound exam of the pregnant mother.

See also Critical care (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit); Institute for Fetal Health; The Heart Center at Children's Memorial Hospital; Mending hearts, shaping futures

congenital heart disease

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 Institute for Fetal Health; Neonatology (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit); The Heart Center at Children's Memorial Hospital; Becca’s amazing turnaround; From patient to volunteer to medical student; Healing the tiniest of hearts

heart failure and cardiomyopathy

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 Jonathan's new heart (video); The Heart Center at Children's Memorial Hospital; From volunteer to cardiologist: My Children’s journey