Congenital Heart Disease

Diagnosis

Mayo doctors' skill and experience in performing echocardiogram exams avoids the need for heart catheterization for most patients.

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Mayo Clinic offers unsurpassed facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease, including:

• Echocardiography
• Electrophysiology
• Heart catheterization
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Medical genetics
• Molecular cardiology

Mayo Clinic physicians offer a unique service to patients by coordinating the tests and exams needed to make an accurate diagnosis. Coordination of this schedule allows patients to receive the tests and exams they need in a timely manner, meet with the doctors who will be involved in their care, and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan that reflects a comprehensive approach to their long-term care.

To find or confirm congenital heart disease, Mayo doctors have the following menu of tests at their disposal:

• History and physical exam
  Much can be learned about the cause of symptoms by finding out about childhood, family medical history, and previous tests, diseases, and operations that have occurred. A physical examination also gives the doctor information about present cardiovascular condition.
• Chest X-ray
  A noninvasive X-ray photograph of the heart and lungs shows the size, shape, and position of the heart and possible abnormalities.
• Electrocardiogram
  Another noninvasive test that measures electrical signals created by the heart muscle as it beats.
• Echocardiogram
  This test uses sound waves (ultrasound) to assess the structure of the heart and blood flow through the heart. Mayo Clinic is a world leader in "echo" testing and performs more echo exams than any other medical center, more than 1,000 each week. At Mayo, echo exams are reviewed by physicians while the patient is being tested to ensure that the right information is collected. Because of their expertise, Mayo doctors are able to diagnose most heart problems with ultrasound, avoiding the need for invasive heart catheterization for the vast majority of patients.
• Exercise test
  Depending on what the doctor needs to know, this test can show the pumping capacity and efficiency of the heart. Blood oxygen levels may also be monitored during the test.
• Heart catheterization
  Under a local anesthetic, the patient lies on an X-ray table while a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is threaded through one of the veins and into the heart. Dye is injected into the heart chambers to allow doctors to see blood flow patterns and find heart defects. They can also close a hole or enlarge a narrowing during this procedure. Mayo performs more than 9,000 catheterizations each year for diagnosis and treatment.
• Electrophysiology study
  This study, similar to heart catheterization, measures the heart's electrical activity from within the heart.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  MRI helps to define the anatomy of the heart and great vessels. It is also used to evaulate heart size and function.