pediatrics
Overview of Congenital Cardiovascular Anomalies
Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease
Screening by pulse oximetry Cardiac physical examination Chest x-ray and ECG Echocardiography Sometimes cardiac MRI or CT angiography, cardiac catheterization with angiocardiography When present, heart murmurs, cyanosis, abnormal pulses, or manifestations of heart failure suggest congenital heart disease. In neonates with these findings, echocardiography is done to confirm the diagnosis of congenital heart disease. If the only abnormality is cyanosis, Measurement of Gas Exchange also should be ruled out. Although echocardiography is typically diagnostic, in select cases, cardiac MRI or CT angiography may clarify important anatomic details. Cardiac catheterization with angiocardiography is occasionally needed to confirm the diagnosis or to assess severity of the anomaly; however, it is generally done only for therapeutic purposes. 