Heart services (cardiology)

Our children's heart service (cardiology) deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of children's heart problems including:

those present from birth, known as congenital heart disease
those that develop after birth, known as acquired heart disease
rhythm disturbances.

About us

Our service is a rapidly developing field of medicine with an international reputation for treating heart problems in children. We care for around 6,000 patients each year. Our service:

cares for children from before they are born (fetal life) through to childhood and into adulthood
offers both outpatient heart services and inpatient services, with 14 dedicated inpatient beds used for planned and urgent treatment
usually has four cardiac beds in the intensive care ward.

Our service is internationally recognised, with names like Donald Ross, Mike Tynan, and other famous children's heart doctors and surgeons connected to the department.

Our facilities

Echocardiography

The diagnosis of congenital heart disease is usually made by echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart). Our excellent facilities allow diagnosis to be made in the fetus, in preterm babies weighing 500 grams as well as in fully grown adolescents and adults.

MRI

Our magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners allow us to make detailed images and measurements of the heart's pumping chambers (ventricles), valves and the blood flow in the different vessels attached to the heart.

Ward facilities

The children's heart ward is based on Sky Ward. It has 18 beds, including six cubicles for children with infections that may need isolation, or children who need special precautions. All beds have equipment to monitor the heart rhythm, oxygen levels and breathing. The ward is covered by one consultant on a weekly basis.

Heart surgery

We carry out between 480-520 surgeries on congenital heart disease each year. Find out more about children's heart surgery.

Heart catheterisation

We see about 400-450 patients in our catheter laboratory. Find out more about heart catheterisation.

Types of heart problems treated

Congenital heart disease – we treat both common and rare types of congenital heart disease.
Heart rhythm disturbances – we treat these medically, and with heart catheterisation.
Conditions acquired during childhood, for example, infections of the heart and valves, or Kawasaki-disease.