At the Heart of Cardiac Care
The Children’s Heart Center is an entire pediatric cardiovascular hospital
located within one of America’s 10 largest pediatric medical centers.
It has earned a reputation as a world leader in pediatric cardiology and the
care of cardiovascular patients from infancy to adulthood. The Center offers
advanced techniques for the diagnosis and management of a full range of pediatric
and congenital cardiovascular problems. If your child needs serious heart treatment,
this is the place to be.
In all, more than 200 doctors, nurses, therapists and staff are dedicated exclusively
to treating congenital heart disease. The Children’s Heart Center includes:
- 15 ICU beds and 10 telemetry beds, staffed by 70 specially trained pediatric
cardiac nurses
- A staff of 17 pediatric cardiologists, two intensivists, four nurse practitioners
and seven specialty nurses
- 24/7 in-house coverage by staff pediatric cardiac intensivists
- Ventricular assists and mobile ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)
- Two cardiovascular operating rooms and two cardiac catheterization laboratories
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit for all pre-op and post-op intensive care
of heart patients
- Support team specially trained for pediatric cardiac care, including respiratory
therapy, pain management, child life and education, social work and nutrition
In addition to all the high-tech care, there are features here to make your
stay more pleasant—for children and parents alike. For instance, telemetry
(ECG by radio waves) means that patients who require monitoring of their heart
rhythm can move around in the hallways and play areas without remaining attached
to a heart monitor. The Center includes a playroom for children of all ages
including video games and a computer with controlled Internet access. There
are six private rooms and two semi-private rooms. Each room has a television
and telephone.
Cardiac Care For Every Child and Every Age
Caring for patients with congenital heart defects means caring for people of
all ages. In fact, our successes mean there are many more adults living with
congenital heart disease. This has led us to develop a new field of practice
focusing on those adult survivors. Our practice includes:
Cardiac Care for the Unborn Child
It is not uncommon to find cardiac defects before a baby is born. A detailed
ultrasound of an unborn baby may reveal a heart problem. The only specially
trained fetal echocardiographers in Arkansas are at Arkansas Children’s
Hospital. A variety of defects and rhythm problems can be identified ahead of
time so that high-risk deliveries may be anticipated.
Cardiac Care for Newborn Infants
Some newborns have defects in heart valves, holes in the walls of the heart
(septal defects) or abnormal connection of large blood vessels from the heart
(patent ductus arteriosus). Others have weaknesses in heart muscle, coronary
arteries, and heart chambers. Still others have lung artery abnormalities and
heart murmurs. Sometimes these problems only require medication for treatment.
In more severe cases, surgical intervention is necessary.
Cardiac Care for Infants and Children
Older children can have many of the same problems as infants. Some need a follow-up
visit with a cardiologist after having a heart operation or to correct a cardiac
defect. Rarer afflictions include rheumatic fever, Kawasaki’s Disease,
Down’s Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome or DiGeorge Syndrome. Rhythm problems,
dizziness or syncope (fainting or losing consciousness) are common within this
age group.
Cardiac Care for Adolescent and Adults
Heart defect cases originating in childhood are followed and cared for by cardiology
doctors. This unique group of patients requires specialized knowledge of childhood
heart disease as it affects them with age. This is particularly important if
surgery may be needed or rhythm problems develop.
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