Heart under control

Congenital heart disease is one of the most common developmental defects in children and a leading cause of infant death. About 4000 children with cardiovascular anomalies are born in Ukraine every year, 30-40% of them are in critical condition from the first days and months of life. Without cardiac surgery, 42% of patients die in childhood, 90% of them die before the age of 1 year.

The Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery performs more than 3000 rescue operations annually. Every day from all regions of Ukraine, the Center receives children in need of urgent care. The working day of cardiologists here begins at 8 am and lasts as long as there are patients. There is always a lot of work, because the Center practices lifelong management of children with congenital heart disease. After the surgery, the child comes for examinations in a month, three months, in a year - the state of his heart is always under control, and if complications appear, they are corrected in a timely manner.

Such expert diagnostics should be carried out by highly qualified specialists using modern equipment. And if everything is fine with the specialists at the Center, the situation with the equipment it is much more complicated. Now the Center needs 3 electrocardiographic devices MIDAS – 6/12 I. The electrocardiograph, along with an ultrasound machine, is the main functional assistant for a doctor in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. This small device performs up to 200 examinations of children's hearts every day.

Treatment for young patients (up to 18 years old) at the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery is completely free. Part of the cost is covered by the state program, but in many aspects the Center is helped by the generosity and mercy of donors.

You can also do your part to save babies' lives! Even a small amount will help the Center to get equipment, which is so important for diagnostics and determination of treatment tactics!