Heart, Heart Failure

What causes heart failure in children?

Heart failure is a condition that can affect people of all ages. In heart failure, the heart doesn’t pump as efficiently as it should. What causes heart failure in children? What is heart failure? In heart failure, the heart hasn’t stopped working; it’s just not working as well as it should. The heart is unable…

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CICU, Fetal Echocardiogram, Heart, Heart Failure, Long QT Syndrome

Girl with rare form of long QT syndrome thriving after specialized heart care

Parents Lena and Sixtus Iwu say that looking at their 5-month-old daughter Eleanor, you wouldn’t know what she’s been through with a congenital heart condition. The growing, active child born in December has a rare form of long QT syndrome. Her parents and physicians are amazed by how Eleanor continually has defied the odds against…

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CICU, Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Heart, Heart Failure, Heart Transplant, Ventricular Assist Device

Norton Children’s Heart Institute growth helped pediatric cardiologist decide to move to Louisville

Pediatric cardiologist Sarah J. Wilkens, M.D., MPH, has trained to care for the sickest children — heart failure and transplant patients. “Ultimately what motivates me are the patients and trying to support their families in these difficult situations,” Dr. Wilkens said. Equally important, she said, is seeing her patients as they grow up — then…

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Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), Blalock-Taussig (BT) Shunt, Cardiomyopathy, COVID19, Fontan Procedure, Glenn Procedure, Heart, Heart Failure, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Norwood Procedure, Pulmonary Atresia, Pulmonary Hypertension, Tricuspid Atresia

COVID-19: Implications for children and adults with congenital heart disease

We do not currently have a lot of information about COVID-19 infection in children and adults with congenital heart disease and outcomes. However, based on what is known, we think some patients may be at higher risk of complications. In addition to social distancing, personal hygiene and other measures recommended at KYCOVID19.ky.gov, there are some…

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Heart, Heart Failure, Marfan Syndrome

Chest pain in children: When to take it seriously

More often than not, a child complaining of chest pain doesn’t suggest a serious problem. Children, young ones especially, aren’t very reliable when it comes to describing their own pain. “Most of the time, chest pain in children is not caused by a heart problem,” said Brian J. Holland, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist with Norton…

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