How are Pediatric Cardiovascular Diseases Diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Key diagnostic tools include:
- Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart to visualize its structure and function. - Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart to detect arrhythmias and other abnormalities. - Chest X-ray: Helps identify heart enlargement and fluid in the lungs. - Cardiac MRI: Provides detailed images of the heart’s structure. - Cardiac catheterization: Invasive procedure to measure pressures within the heart and obtain detailed images.
