The heart has its own electrical system that tells it to beat. An arrhythmia is an abnormal electrical path in the heart which makes the heart beat either too fast or too slow. This can cause the heart to pump less effectively. Abnormal heart rhythms occur in many people who do not have heart disease. Heart rhythm problems can result in a slow heartbeat (bradyarrythmia) or a fast heartbeat (tachyarrhythmia). An electrophysiologist is a heart rhythm specialist and may need to be consulted if the problem is serious.

Inova offers the arterial switch procedure to correct a congenital heart defect called . This heart problem occurs when the aorta (the blood vessel that supplies blood to the body) comes out of the right (instead of the left) ventricle, while the pulmonary artery (the blood vessel that transports blood to the lungs) comes out of the left ventricle. We normally perform this procedure during the child’s first two weeks of life. Support Our Biggest Stars Donate and help fund life-saving programs, research and support for our pediatric patients.   

Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart, most often the heart valves, or in the major blood vessels. Endocarditis can occur in a person at any age who has a congenital heart problem. It can also occur in people without heart disease. While endocarditis is not common, it can cause serious heart damage. The infection can eat holes in the important valves of the heart. In most cases, bacterial endocarditis can be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics are given intravenously for six weeks.

Bidirectional Glenn is a surgical treatment used for children who do not have two pumping chambers of the heart. This can be caused by many different diagnoses which all result in a single ventricle. These conditions include: Tricuspid atresia The bidirectional Glenn procedure directs the blood flow from the upper body veins directly to the lungs rather than the heart pumping the blood to the lungs first. The bidirectional Glenn shunt redirects blood flow from the upper body veins and is often performed prior to having a Fontan procedure.

Coarctation of the aorta is when the largest blood vessel in the body is narrowed. This narrowing makes it difficult for blood to reach the lower body. The symptoms depend on the severity of the narrowing. Newborns with a severe narrowing may be in shock with no blood flow to the legs, kidneys and intestines. If mild, older children may be diagnosed by weak leg pulses or an elevated blood pressure in their arms. Treatment The pediatric cardiac surgeons are able to enlarge a severely narrowed aorta with surgical treatment.

World-class cardiac care for our smallest patients The following are diagnosed, treated or offered as treatment options at Inova Children's Hospital. Support Our Biggest Stars Donate and help fund life-saving programs, research and support for our pediatric patients.   

When the heart or blood vessels near the heart do not develop normally before birth, a condition called congenital heart disease occurs (congenital means "existing at birth"). Heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, occurring in 1 out of every 120 live births. Most are detected at birth, but sometimes they so not present symptoms until adulthood. Inova's highly specialized physicians offer care to newborns and children with congenital heart disease.

Diagnostic cardiac catheterization is a special test to collect enough information about a child's heart problem to establish a plan for care. The Inova interventional pediatric cardiologist guides a catheter to the heart.

Fontan is a surgical treatment used for children who do not have two pumping chambers of the heart. Blood coming back from the veins of the body is sent directly to the lungs, rather than the heart pumping the blood to the lungs. Most children with this condition will have had a bidirectional Glenn shunt to redirect blood flow from the upper body veins prior to having a Fontan procedure.

Philanthropy has empowered our program to grow with an increase in cardiac surgical procedures, advancements in our fetal heart program, the creation of a dedicated electrophysiology program and ongoing growth of our adult congenital heart program, in collaboration with the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute. Inova relies on community support to provide excellent care close to home. If you would like to support Inova Children’s Heart Center, please contact Kirstin McArthur, Director of Leadership Giving, at or .