Pediatric cardiology in Turkey specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired heart disease in children from prenatal to young adulthood. It treats cardiac rhythm disorders during development, as well as systemic and pulmonary arterial hypertension, including that secondary to congenital heart disease. Care also includes monitoring of systemic diseases affecting the heart. Specialized facilities in Turkey, notably level II centers, offer prenatal diagnosis of conventional heart disease. In the event of an ablation procedure, these facilities collaborate with top-level medical professionals in Turkey, as well as anesthetists and resuscitation teams, to ensure quality care.
He conducts extensive research in various areas of pediatric cardiology, including the diagnosis and treatment of primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension, as well as systemic hypertension in childhood. His work also focuses on congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries, cardiomyopathies and the application of new echocardiographic techniques for the diagnosis and monitoring of paediatric heart disease. He also studies specific pathologies such as patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants and Kawasaki disease, seeking to improve management methods and long-term outcomes for these young patients.
Outpatient pediatric cardiology in Turkey
Pediatric cardiology in Turkey offers a full range of diagnostic and follow-up services for children and young adults. These include cardiological examinations, electrocardiograms (ECGs), one-, two- and three-dimensional transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography, as well as one- and two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. Contrast echocardiography and dynamic ECG monitoring (such as Holter loops and event recorders) are also performed.
Facilities in Turkey offer non-invasive dynamic systemic blood pressure monitoring and developmentally appropriate cardiovascular peak stress testing. The facility also performs pediatric cardiology examinations for patients at the request of sports physicians, in addition to carrying out in-depth sports medicine assessments, including stress testing. These examinations are carried out in close collaboration with cardiology teams, including for adult patients with congenital heart disease, guaranteeing comprehensive, specialized care.
Pediatric cardiology hospitalization in Turkey
In Turkey, hospitalization for pediatric cardiology takes place in the general pediatric ward of children’s hospitals, usually on the 3rd floor. Planned hospitalizations are necessary for diagnostic tests or further treatment, as in the case of heart failure. When cardiac surgery is required, pediatric cardiology organizes the operation in collaboration with pediatric cardiac surgery teams, monitoring the patient from hospitalization to discharge home. In the event of urgent hospitalization, the patient is taken care of either by initial observation in general and emergency pediatrics (first floor of the children’s hospital), or by a specialized outpatient consultation, on the recommendation of the attending pediatrician who contacts the department directly.
Pediatric heart surgery in Turkey
Cardiac surgery in children in Turkey follows a rigorous, well-coordinated protocol. Before the operation, a series of diagnostic tests, such as echocardiograms and ECGs, are carried out to assess the child’s heart condition. The operation begins with a general anaesthetic, followed by a surgical incision to access the heart. Depending on the type of pathology, the operation may involve repair or replacement of valves, or correction of congenital defects. A cardiac bypass is often used to maintain blood circulation during the operation. After the intervention, the child is transferred to intensive care for close monitoring, then followed closely during recovery. In the event of complications or specific needs, a multidisciplinary team, including cardiologists, anesthetists and surgeons, ensures optimal post-operative follow-up.
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