Cardiology Conference-CVC 2026

Pediatric cardiac surgery is responsible for the surgical care of infants, children, and adolescents with congenital and acquired heart disease. In general, surgery is aimed to repair structural defects, improve heart function and quality and quantity of survival.

Indications for surgery are common congenital defects such as ventricular septal defects, atrial septal defects, tetralogy of fallot, great artery transposition, valve defects, and more complex congenital defects. Early diagnosis, prenatal and postnatal imaging, is critical for an appropriate plan for timely intervention.

Surgical intervention techniques range from standard, traditional open-heart techniques that involve manipulating the heart while on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), to minimally invasive approaches, which may be hybrid techniques or even do not even require an incision but may use catheterization techniques to intervene with the heart, reducing trauma, recovery time and complications. Developments in robotic assisted surgery, 3D imaging, and catheter based approaches have expanded opportunities for interventions not just in surgical candidates either but also in special high risk populations such as infants, toddlers, neonates and so forth.

An evaluation period will usually involve work-up imaging including echocardiograph, cardiac MRI, CT imaging; possibly some genetic evaluation if needed for a specific entity. The evaluation often involves a collaborative group of pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeon, anesthesiology, and a critical care physician to optimize planning and ensure safety during the surgical intervention.

Outcomes of pediatric cardiac surgery show a rapid progression in improvement due to advances in surgical technique, perioperative care, as well as long-term care. Children can expect improvements in heart function, support for alleviation of symptoms, as well as better growth and development when successful after surgical intervention.

In summary, pediatric cardiac surgery is firmly established into the fabric of comprehensive care of the heart.""