Subsequent to determining the type of congenital heart disease, the doctor will plan the long-term management. This may be one of three categories:
- Leave alone
- Many congenital heart diseases especially the simple “hole-in-the-heart” can be left alone. Certain precautions may need to be taken, which will be explained by the doctor. These include good dental hygiene to prevent dental caries. The other precaution is taking of antibiotics during dental and surgical procedures to prevent infection from taking place in the heart.
- The reason or this is that during the dental or surgical procedures, bacteria may be liberated into the bloodstream and may settle on the heart and cause infection in the heart, called SBE or subacute bacterial endocarditis. It is important to stress that these antibiotics need not be given all the time, but only during the period of the dental or surgical procedure. Otherwise the child can live a normal life and go about doing normal activities.
- Start On Medication
- Some of the conditions may require medications to be given. These should be carried out on the advice from the doctor: the important thing being to take these medications regularly as instructed by the doctor. These medications are medications for heart failure and other supportive treatment.
- Corrective Heart Surgery
- Some conditions will require surgery on the heart to be done. These operations can be done at the nearest available cardiothoracic center and will be organized by the doctor as necessary. Not all operations are urgent and they can be arranged according to the severity of the heart disease.
- Some conditions will require surgery on the heart to be done. These operations can be done at the nearest available cardiothoracic center and will be organized by the doctor as necessary. Not all operations are urgent and they can be arranged according to the severity of the heart disease.