Pediatric Cardiology & Congenital Heart Care
Pediatric cardiology cares for children with congenital and acquired heart conditions. Our team evaluates heart murmurs and symptoms, confirms the diagnosis with imaging, and treats many problems in the catheter laboratory using balloon angioplasty or stents to widen narrowed vessels, working closely with pediatric cardiac surgery when needed.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Pediatric cardiology covers the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart conditions (present from birth) and heart problems that develop during childhood. A common reason for referral is a heart murmur found on routine examination, which the team evaluates to determine whether it is harmless or points to an underlying condition that needs treatment.
Many narrowed vessels and other defects can be treated without open surgery, in the catheter laboratory. Using thin tubes guided into the heart, specialists perform procedures such as balloon angioplasty to open a narrowing and stenting to keep a vessel open. When a child needs an operation instead of or alongside a catheter procedure, the cardiologists work closely with the pediatric cardiac surgery team so care is coordinated. Diagnosis and follow-up rely on child-appropriate imaging, and families receive clear explanations at every step.
For families traveling from abroad, our specialists can review your child's existing reports and imaging remotely before you travel. An international patient coordinator arranges the evaluation, shares a written care plan, and provides a transparent, itemized cost estimate in advance, so you understand the proposed approach before making any decision.
Who is a candidate?
- Children found to have a heart murmur on routine examination that needs to be evaluated
- Babies and children with a known or suspected congenital heart defect
- Children with a narrowed heart valve or blood vessel that may benefit from balloon angioplasty or a stent
- Children with symptoms such as breathlessness, poor feeding or growth, fainting, or an irregular heartbeat
- Children who need ongoing cardiology follow-up after previous heart treatment or surgery
What happens
- 1
Assessment & diagnosis
The cardiologist reviews your child's history and examination, listens to any murmur, and arranges child-appropriate tests to confirm the diagnosis and understand the heart's structure and function.
- 2
Treatment planning
The findings are discussed with the family and, where relevant, with pediatric cardiac surgery. Together the team recommends whether a catheter procedure, an operation, medication, or continued monitoring is the best option.
- 3
Catheter procedure or surgery
If a catheter procedure is chosen, a thin tube is guided into the heart under sedation or general anesthesia to perform balloon angioplasty or place a stent. When surgery is needed, the cardiac surgery team carries it out.
- 4
Recovery & follow-up
Your child is monitored after the procedure, and the team explains what to expect at home. Follow-up reviews check the result over time, and reports can be shared with your local doctor.
Benefits
- Many narrowed vessels can be treated in the catheter laboratory, avoiding open surgery in suitable cases
- Close collaboration between cardiology and pediatric cardiac surgery for coordinated care
- Evaluation of murmurs so families know whether a finding is harmless or needs treatment
- Child-appropriate imaging and follow-up in one hospital group
- Clear explanations and support for families throughout diagnosis and treatment
Risks & considerations
- Catheter procedures carry small risks including bleeding or bruising at the insertion site, blood vessel injury, and reaction to contrast dye
- Less commonly, an irregular heartbeat can occur during or after a catheter procedure
- A stent or balloon treatment may not fully relieve a narrowing, and some children need a further procedure or surgery later
- General anesthesia and sedation carry their own risks, which the anesthesia team discusses with you
- Not every heart condition can be corrected completely; some children need long-term follow-up
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Paediatrics (Children's Health).
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Pediatric Cardiology & Congenital Heart Care — frequently asked questions
No. Many murmurs in children are harmless and need no treatment. The cardiologist evaluates the murmur, examines your child, and arranges tests if needed to decide whether it is innocent or points to a condition that should be treated.
Often, yes. Many narrowed vessels and certain defects can be treated in the catheter laboratory using balloon angioplasty or a stent, which avoids open surgery in suitable cases. When an operation is the better choice, cardiology works closely with the pediatric cardiac surgery team.
Catheter procedures are done under sedation or general anesthesia so your child is comfortable and still. The anesthesia team assesses your child beforehand and explains what to expect and the associated risks.
Yes. Our specialists can review your child's reports and imaging remotely and give an initial opinion. Your coordinator then arranges any further evaluation needed after you arrive.
We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing the case and do not quote fixed prices online because each plan is individual. Catheter procedures often involve a short admission, while surgery may need a longer stay; your coordinator confirms the expected timeline once the plan is set.
Related treatments
Considering pediatric cardiology & congenital heart care?
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