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Coarctation of the aorta

Learn about coarctation of the aorta. This condition involves a narrowing of the major artery leading from the heart to the body, affecting blood pressure.

Balloon atrial septostomy

Health A-Z

Balloon atrial septostomy is a procedure to expand an atrial septal defect and improve oxygenation of the blood. It is often performed for infants with certain types of congenital heart disease (CHD) such as transposition of the great arteries.

Before the heart transplant

Health A-Z

It is important to keep your child as healthy as possible before a heart transplant. Learn about what happens while you are waiting for a donor heart to become available.

Balloon valvuloplasty

Health A-Z

Valve dilation uses heart catheterization to open a narrowed valve in the heart. Read about valve dilation, possible complications and recovery.

Closure device insertion

Health A-Z

Holes in the heart or blood vessels can sometimes be closed with a small device that is put in using heart catheterization. Learn about this procedure.

Body image for children with heart disease

Health A-Z

Learn about helping those with congenital heart disease have a healthy body image. Read about issues that may arise, such as embarrassment over scars.

Balloon angioplasty

Health A-Z

Balloon angioplasty, also known as balloon dilation, is used to expand narrowed blood vessels. Read more about angioplasty.

Blalock-Thomas-Taussig (BTT) shunts

Health A-Z

The Blalock-Thomas-Taussig (BTT) shunt helps babies with certain heart defects get enough oxygen until they can have surgery to fix the defect.

Bi-directional cavopulmonary anastomosis (Glenn procedure)

Health A-Z

The Glenn procedure is done when not enough blood is getting to the lungs. Learn about this procedure and the risks associated with it.

Bicuspid aortic valve

Health A-Z

Learn about bicuspid aortic valve; a defect of the valve between the left pumping chamber of the heart and the main artery that delivers blood to the body.

After heart surgery: Caring for your child

Health A-Z

Children need extra care and attention after heart surgery. Read about care after heart surgery including diet, pain management and school.

Coping with a diagnosis of congenital heart defects

Health A-Z

Read about coping with a diagnosis. While the diagnosis may be upsetting, the good news is that a child's pain is no longer a mystery.

Diagnosis of congenital heart disease

Health A-Z

Learn about congenital heart disease in children. Congenital heart disease happens when parts of the heart do not form properly.

Cyanosis (blue spells) in congenital heart disease

Health A-Z

Blue spells occur when a child's lungs are not receiving enough blood to carry oxygen to the rest of the body. Find out what to do in case of a blue spell.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Health A-Z

Learn about dilated cardiomyopathy, a stretching of the heart muscle that usually results in the heart being unable to pump effectively.

Congenital heart conditions: After heart surgery

Health A-Z

Read about post-surgery recovery. How long a child spends recovering depends on the severity of the condition he's being treated for, among other factors.

Diagnostic procedures for heart conditions

Health A-Z

Learn about diagnostic procedures used to detect heart conditions in children and how to help your child get through tests.

Common arterial trunk

Health A-Z

Learn about common arterial trunk, a defect in which a single great artery comes out of the ventricles instead of the usual pulmonary artery and aorta.

Diagnosis of heart-related syndromes

Health A-Z

Learn about heart-related syndromes. A syndrome is a medical term for a collection of signs and symptoms that generally stem from a single cause.

Prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone (corticosteroids), taken for a short time

Drug A-Z

Your child needs to take one of these medicines: prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone or methylprednisolone. This information sheet explains what these medicines do and how to give them to your child. It also explains what side effects or problems your child may have when they take these medicines for a short time (less than seven days).

Spironolactone and Hydrochlorothiazide

Drug A-Z

Your child needs to take the medicine called spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide. This information sheet explains what spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take t

Vindesine

Drug A-Z

Your child needs to take the medicine called vindesine. This information sheet explains what vindesine does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine.

Trihexyphenidyl

Drug A-Z

Your child needs to take the medicine called trihexyphenidyl. This information sheet explains what trihexyphenidyl does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine.

Vincristine

Drug A-Z

Your child needs to take the medicine called vincristine. This information sheet explains what vincristine does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine.

Arthritis associations

Health A-Z

This page provides information about leading arthritis organizations in Canada.