Treating Heart Defects in Children at Swiss Clinics: Outstanding Methods and Specialised Care

Heart defects are among the most frequently diagnosed congenital conditions. They are detected in the first days of a child’s life, and when a foetal ultrasound is performed with modern equipment during pregnancy, the diagnosis can be made even earlier.

Treating heart defects in children is an important area of medical practice that calls for particular attention and expertise. Clinics in Switzerland provide outstanding medical care for children with heart conditions, ensuring a high standard of care and innovative treatment methods.

01 How congenital heart defects present

There are more than a hundred types of this condition, and the classification of heart defects is extensive. For example, a distinction is made between “blue” and “white” heart defects: in the first case, the characteristic sign is a bluish tinge to the skin (cyanosis); in the second, marked pallor. Symptoms of structural problems with the heart can appear during foetal development, and signs of a foetal heart defect on ultrasound may lead either to termination of the pregnancy or to specialist medical care for the unborn child.

If no abnormalities were detected before birth, a heart defect in a newborn may be diagnosed on the basis of the following symptoms:

• after birth, the skin of the child’s face, ears and arms has a pronounced bluish or pale tinge;
• the skin turns bluish when the newborn cries or during feeding;
• the child’s hands and feet are always cold.

When examining the child, the paediatrician may detect heart murmurs. Although these are not a characteristic sign of the condition, further investigations will be carried out to clarify the diagnosis.

Quite often, a child develops normally after birth and doctors find no signs of impaired heart function. This course is typical of abnormalities of the valves – symptoms of a heart valve defect often only appear by the age of 10:

• shortness of breath develops;
• the child lags significantly behind in physical development;
• the skin of the face periodically turns bluish.

A heart defect in a newborn can also present as heart failure – a very dangerous condition that in most cases proves fatal.

02 Types of heart defects

• Aortic and mitral heart defects are the ones most often diagnosed in newborns. In the first case, the cause may be the absence of one of the valve leaflets or its degeneration. An aortic heart defect is often diagnosed only at the age of 10 – the condition is congenital, but no symptoms are detected before then.
• A mitral heart defect is diagnosed during pregnancy, which allows surgeons to operate with special endovascular instruments before birth or immediately after the baby is born.
• Rheumatic heart disease deserves a separate mention – this type develops when the mother has rheumatic fever that was not properly treated before pregnancy. As a rule, rheumatic disease affects the formation of the aortic valves – they may have openings (which should not normally be present) or become deformed.

03 Expert diagnosis of heart defects at Swiss clinics

When signs of a heart defect are found in a young patient, accurate diagnosis becomes the first priority. Clinics in Switzerland are equipped with modern medical technology for high-precision investigations such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography. This gives doctors a detailed picture of the defect and allows them to choose the optimal treatment plan.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography is a further powerful tool for diagnosing heart defects in children. This method uses ultrasound waves to create a real-time image of the heart. It provides information on blood flow, assesses the condition of the valves and gives doctors a complete picture of how the heart is functioning.

Echocardiography works by sending ultrasound waves into the patient’s body, which are then reflected by the heart tissue. This process produces detailed images showing blood flow, the structure of the valves and the overall condition of the heart. The echocardiogram offers a dynamic view of cardiac activity, making the method ideal for detecting defects.

In-depth data analysis

Assessment of the valves and blood flow:

• Echocardiography allows doctors to assess the condition of the heart valves thoroughly.
• Detecting backflow of blood caused by faulty valves is a critically important aspect.
• Detailed study of structural anomalies helps to identify defects at an early stage, allowing more effective treatment.

Measuring the size and function of the ventricles:

• The echocardiography technique includes measuring the size and function of the heart’s ventricles.
• Assessment of systolic and diastolic function provides information on how the heart works at different stages of its cycle.
• This allows doctors both to identify defects and to assess how far they affect overall cardiac function.

Use of Doppler analysis:

• A further advantage of echocardiography is the option of Doppler analysis.
• Doppler analysis measures the speed of blood flow, which is key when assessing the degree of stenosis or obstruction of the vessels.
• This allows doctors to determine the nature of the defect more precisely and to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Echocardiography goes beyond producing images: it becomes a tool for in-depth data analysis, enabling doctors to make an accurate diagnosis and develop individual treatment plans for young patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced examination method that offers a unique way of visualising the internal structures of the heart in high detail and without radiation exposure. In diagnosing heart defects in children, MRI is an indispensable tool that gives doctors a detailed understanding of the heart’s anatomy and function.

MRI is based on the effect of a strong magnetic field and radio waves on the hydrogen atoms in the patient’s body. This generates signals that a computer then processes into three-dimensional images of the internal organs. In cardiac diagnostics, MRI allows doctors to study the structure, function and blood supply of the heart.

Advantages of MRI in diagnosing heart defects

• High image detail
• MRI provides remarkably detailed images of the heart’s structures.
• It reveals even the smallest anomalies, such as valve defects, incompletely formed septa and other defects.
• Free of ionising radiation
• Being free of ionising radiation makes the method safe for children.
• Examinations can be repeated with no risk to health.
• Multiplanar diagnostics
• Obtaining images of the heart in different planes considerably improves the scope for analysis.
• This is important in complex defects for determining the optimal treatment plan.

MRI is an effective and safe method for diagnosing heart defects in children. Its high level of detail and freedom from ionising radiation make it an invaluable tool for doctors seeking accurate and reliable diagnosis in complex cases.

04 Modern treatment of heart defects in children at Swiss clinics

• Every case of a heart defect in a child is unique, and doctors at Swiss clinics approach treatment on an entirely individual basis. This personalised approach includes defining the characteristics of the defect, taking the patient’s age into account and developing the optimal therapeutic plan.
• As a rule, surgery is prescribed once the diagnosis is made – surgical correction of a heart defect is the only way to ensure a full life for the child and, later, the adult. Modern methods and equipment make even the most complex operations possible, including implantation of an artificial valve when the natural valve cannot be repaired. Notably, only some patients with a heart defect are classed as disabled – the patient’s overall condition, the results of surgery and the likelihood of recurrence are all taken into account. Naturally, patients with this condition (even after a successful operation) will need to limit physical exertion and attend regular preventive check-ups, thereby preventing complications.

05 Specialised services for children and their families at Swiss clinics

Treating a heart defect involves both medical procedures and support for children and their families. Clinics in Switzerland provide psychological support and rehabilitation programmes aimed at restoring health and helping the child adapt to everyday life.

Psychological support at Swiss clinics

When treating heart defects in children, Swiss clinics pay considerable attention to psychological support. Psychologists work with children and their families, offering emotional support at difficult moments. This is an important aspect that helps families cope with the stress and emotional challenges associated with treatment.

Rehabilitation programmes

Rehabilitation programmes are aimed at restoring health after treatment of a heart defect. They include physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise and other methods of restorative medicine. These programmes are developed individually, taking each child’s particular needs into account, to ensure optimal recovery of the body’s functions.

06 Organising treatment in Switzerland

To organise treatment of a heart defect in Switzerland efficiently, we recommend turning to professionals. CorSwiss is a company specialising in organising medical services in Switzerland. With its experience and expertise, you can be confident of high-quality support at every stage, from choosing the right clinic to handling the administrative formalities.