Recent reports have shown that one of the most common causes of pediatric cardiac surgery in Delhi is aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is a medical condition marked by a severe blockage in the aortic valve which is one of the four valves responsible for the free flow of blood in our heart. The blockage causes an obstruction to the free flow of blood thereby affecting the normal functioning of the heart. If left untreated it can even lead to increased risks of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and even death. Although the problem is more likely to affect adults, especially elderlies, children too are vulnerable to it. The treatment for aortic stenosis is available at the best paediatric cardiology hospital in Delhi.
Aortic stenosis can be a result of many factors. In children, it is mainly credited to the congenital abnormalities of the aortic valve. The aortic valve normally has three leaflets however some children only have two leaflets. This is called a bicuspid aortic valve. These leaflets can get damaged over time and fail to open and close properly. This makes it very difficult for the left ventricle to eject blood into the aorta.
Children suffering from mild to moderate stenosis do not usually experience any symptoms. However, children suffering from chronic aortic stenosis may experience persistent chest pain, breathlessness, heart murmur, fatigue and dizziness. An infant born with aortic stenosis is at a very high risk of developing heart failure in the first few days of its life however the risk considerably decrease in case of older children.
As far as the treatment is concerned, children with mild aortic stenosis hardly require the treatment however the problem may sometimes be progressive, eventually leading to the need for treatment later in life.
A lot of people prefer to get their children treated in Delhi as paediatric cardiology treatment in Delhi is not only pocket-friendly but at par with International standards. Pediatric heart surgery hospital in Delhi resort to the use of latest technology and hi-tech equipment to offer treatments that are at par with excellence.
Although the treatment can help to save the life of your child, it does not guarantee the return of the valve to the normal condition. Also, your child will have to see a cardiologist on a regular basis to avoid any unnecessary complication. Certain lifestyle changes may also be recommended.
The protocol to be followed for treating a patient greatly depends upon the cause of the problem and the extent to which it has spread,
The surgery can be performed in two different ways i.e. either by using the traditional open heart approach or the new minimally invasive methods. Aortic valvar stenosis is usually treated with the help of balloon dilation procedures
Balloon dilation valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure usually performed along with cardiac catheterization. In the case of infants, the procedure is performed via the umbilical artery whereas in the case of older children it is performed via the femoral artery. Sometimes the patient needs to be kept under observation for a day or two.
Surgical valvotomy, in which the valve is opened along the lines of commissural fusion, may also be recommended to certain patients however the procedure has been replaced by balloon dilation valvuloplasty technique and is hardly performed nowadays.
Open heart surgery is recommended in case of chronic stenosis where a minimally invasive procedure does not suffice. This is usually done in case of severe plaque formation.
One of the best treatments for children suffering from aortic stenosis is Ross procedure. The aortic valve is replaced with the pulmonary valve which is itself replaced by an artificially created valve (homograft). The fact that the replaced valve continues to grow with the child makes it the most feasible option of treatment.
Traditional treatment involves the implantation of a mechanical prosthesis in the place of the aortic valve. Other procedures include Ross procedure, Konno procedure or a combination of both i.e. Ross-Konno procedure.
