What Is Angiography?

What is Angiography? While congenital heart disease in our country does not differ significantly from other countries, it is frequently seen. In fact, more than one million babies are born worldwide each year with congenital heart disease, and 15,000 babies in our country open their eyes to the world with congenital heart disease. There are over 200 congenital heart diseases, including holes between the heart chambers, narrowing in the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs and distribute blood throughout the body, and developmental disorders of the ventricles and atria. Congenital heart diseases, particularly in the early neonatal period (the first days after birth), can lead to severe clinical presentations that pose a vital risk. However, with early diagnosis and correct treatment approaches, babies born with congenital heart disease can lead healthy and long lives. Moreover, due to significant advances in the 'angiography' method used in the detection and treatment of diseases specific to the arteries that supply the heart, the need for surgery in some congenital heart diseases is gradually decreasing. Additionally, newborn babies who need to gain weight before they can be operated on can now hold on to life without wasting time through angiography! Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik, Pediatric Cardiologist at Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital shared the following on the subject: "Holes inside the heart can be closed with angiography, narrowed vessels can be opened, and valves can be replaced in children with impaired valve function. All these developments continue rapidly, enabling our child heart patients to live longer and higher-quality lives. Today, thanks to developing new technological advances, the angiography method can be used for diagnosis and treatment at every age from the neonatal period onwards, including premature babies born early and with low birth weight. The method has a high success rate and a low probability of side effects," he said.

Early Diagnosis is Vital for Little Hearts!

In congenital heart disease, 1 out of every 3 babies requires intervention immediately after birth, in the first month. Therefore, early diagnosis is vital for little hearts! Pediatric Cardiologist Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik points out that congenital heart diseases can be screened from weeks 18-20 of pregnancy using an ultrasonographic method called fetal echocardiography, stating, "If the diagnosis is made during pregnancy, it increases the success of treatment by ensuring that delivery takes place at appropriate centers and that necessary intervention can be performed immediately after birth. For this reason, it is of great importance that the diagnosis of congenital heart disease, if possible, be made before birth and that delivery take place at centers equipped to intervene in these diseases," he said. Congenital heart diseases can also be diagnosed after birth through thorough and complete physical examination and, if suspected, echocardiography. If deemed necessary, angiography and imaging studies can rarely be performed additionally to confirm the diagnosis.

Symptoms May Take Years to Appear

There are many subtypes of congenital heart disease and each disease manifests itself with different signals. Pediatric Cardiologist Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik points out that symptoms and findings can appear years later in some children, depending on the severity of the disease, stating, "For example, holes between the heart chambers can develop at different times with different findings depending on their size. There may also be rare diseases that show no symptoms during routine examinations but manifest symptoms when the heart's reserves run out," he said.

Watch Out for These Signs!

In addition to regular periodic examinations from the neonatal period onwards for early diagnosis and treatment, it is of great importance that families do not overlook certain signs. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik lists the symptoms that vary by age range during childhood as follows:

In the Neonatal Period

• Getting tired quickly during feeding.
• Difficulty feeding.
• Rapid breathing.
• Cyanosis.
• Inadequate weight gain.

In Infancy

• Frequent lower respiratory tract infections.
• Stalling or lack of growth and development.
• Excessive sweating.
• Respiratory rate and heart rate above normal values.
• Getting tired quickly during motor activities requiring effort.
• Cyanosis of the lips and mouth.

In School Age

• Lower performance in sports activities compared to peers.
• Getting tired quickly.
• Frequent lung infections.
• Fainting or near-fainting episodes.
• Chest pain caused by effort or sports activity.

Regular Follow-up is Very Important!

Congenital heart diseases are treated using 3 different methods: medication, angiography, and surgery. Which treatment option will be applied may vary depending on when the disease is diagnosed, its severity, and whether other anomalies are present. Pediatric Cardiologist Prof. Dr. Ayhan Çevik emphasizes that, thanks to technological advances in recent years in our country, the majority of congenital heart diseases are successfully treated, stating, "For this reason, it is very important that periodic examinations be conducted from pregnancy onwards, as they enable diagnosis before symptoms appear. Additionally, as with other childhood diseases, regular follow-up throughout children's growth and development is vital," he said.