Children's Cardiology

Care for Children with Heart Conditions

Sanford Children’s pediatric cardiologists diagnose and treat problems of the heart, lungs and blood vessels in newborns through young adults. Our heart specialists provide advanced care using the latest heart care technologies in a compassionate, healing environment that puts kids first.

We believe in taking a collaborative approach to children’s care. Your care team will include your child’s primary care provider, registered nurses and several heart specialists.

We’re here to give your child the highest quality pediatric heart care available. Our services include:

• Around-the-clock observation in intensive care units
• Diagnostic testing
• Exercise testing to check how your child’s heart responds to stress
• Interventional cardiology, which involves inserting a flexible tube into the heart to treat cardiovascular diseases
• Using an ultrasound to look for heart abnormalities or diseases (echocardiography)

For physicians: Refer a patient to Sanford Health.

Cardiac Conditions in Children

Our pediatric cardiologists use the latest treatment techniques and technologies to help keep your child as healthy as possible.

We treat conditions including:

• Abnormal heart rhythm: If your child’s heart beats irregularly, Sanford Children’s has answers. We offer nonsurgical and surgical treatment options for this critical condition.
• Congenital heart disease: CHD includes any defect in the heart that is present at birth. Treatments depend on the condition’s severity. Doctors treat CHD with medication, implanted devices, surgery and, in severe cases, a heart transplant.
• Congestive heart failure: A long-term condition in which the heart doesn’t properly pump blood. Treatments vary depending on the severity of the disease. Your child could go on a diet plan, take medications or get an implanted device to treat this condition.
• Heart murmurs: Strange sounds made by irregular blood flow through valves in the heart. They are common in children, and most are harmless. Your child will need further tests to make sure it isn’t connected to a more serious heart problem.
• Fainting (syncope): A condition in which a sudden drop in your child’s heart rate causes fainting. Our heart doctors will work with your child to help them make plans to avoid stressful triggers. Some cases require medications or a pacemaker.
• Other disorders of the heart and blood vessels: In addition to heart conditions that are present at birth, many types of heart conditions can develop following an illness, infection or other factors. Our doctors will help develop a unique care plan based on your child’s needs.

Interventional Cardiology

Interventional cardiology specialists provide catheter-based treatments, which involve inserting a flexible tube, or catheter, into the heart to treat cardiovascular conditions. Some of these treatments include:

• Atrial septal defect closures
• Balloon angioplasty and valvuloplasty
• Diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization
• Patent ductus arteriosus closures
• Stent placements

As minimally invasive procedures, catheter-based interventions can help reduce pain, minimize scars, decrease the chance of infection and shorten recovery times.

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