CHD – congenital heart disease (also known as a congenital heart defect) is a malformation present at birth.
According to the American Heart Association, at least eight of every 1,000 infants born each year have such a heart defect. Most of these children can benefit from surgery even if the defect is severe.
Recent advances in corrective pediatric surgery have made an impact, enabling children with CHD to live longer lives. But how do doctors see into those tiny hearts to determine what's wrong?
Looking for answers
Cardiac ultrasound or 'echocardiography' is a diagnostic test which uses ultrasound waves (high frequency sound waves) to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures.
If doctors can more clearly see into an infant's heart, they can better determine the extent of deformation and then choose a proper course of treatment. For example, to assess a suspected 'hole in the heart' a doctor would need to ask . . .
- Where is it?
- How many holes are there?
- What's the shape?
- What's the relationship to surrounding structures?
- What's the impact of the malformation to cardiac function?
To help find the answers, we've designed an array of ultrasound imaging equipment just right for pediatric patients.
Tools to assist
A transducer is that part of an ultrasound system that forms images by bouncing sound waves off internal organs and then collecting and interpreting the returning 'echos'.
Small anatomy can pose special challenges for physicians. To help we developed equipment specifically designed for pediatric patients:
- A hand-held transducer with a unique small form factor suited to small patients uses an exclusive Philips technology (xMATRIX) to acquire superb 3D images. Using on-board analysis software on our iE33 echo system along with these images, doctors can more clearly evaluate cardiac anatomy and CHD malformations, and quantify the heart's function.
- Transesophageal echo' (TEE) has also been specifically designed for pediatric imaging. TEE delivers the sound waves from inside the esophagus – a position closer to the heart, providing images from a different angle. Doctors can assess anatomy and function with data from these new perspectives. Read about Dr. Mehra at the Jaslok Hospital in India.
Ultrasound – imaging for life
Philips designed these advanced ultrasound technologies to help specialists visualize the tiniest of hearts. These tools help doctors give young CHD patients an opportunity to live normal lives.
+ Physicians – Learn More about Philips Pediatric Echocardiography
- February 2008
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