How cardiac care for patients with Down syndrome is changing
Novel innovations in the treatment and care of heart failure may be improving outcomes in patients with Down syndrome.
Prenatal testing has provided clinicians with the tools to detect and treat congenital heart defects earlier, which may allow for greater longevity, according to a report from the American Heart Association.
One such patient’s atrioventricular septal defect — characterized by a hole in the heart — was identified prior to her mother giving birth. The cardiac condition alerted clinicians to her Down syndrome, and four months after birth, she underwent open-heart surgery to repair the hole. The early procedure has given the patient the chance to live an active lifestyle comparable to her peers.
Because congenital heart defects as well as gastrointestinal, respiratory and neurologic issues are common in patients with Down syndrome, specialized medical centers for this patient population have opened across the country. These medical centers offer integrated care at one facility, streamlining evaluations and treatments and reducing costs for patients and their families.
The AHA emphasized that despite progress in the cardiac care of patients with Down syndrome, medical professionals across a range of specialties may need to adopt a better understanding of the condition in order to deliver a compassionate diagnosis and improve access to proper care.
Read more: American Heart Association
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