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 .

Heterotaxy syndrome is a rare birth defect involving the heart and other internal organs. “Hetero” means different and” taxy” mean arrangement – so the organs have a different arrangement. It is seen in boys and girls equally and can occur in all ethnic groups. Four babies in one million are born with this problem. In heterotaxy syndrome, paired organs like the lungs or kidney are often mirror images of each other instead of having the features of right and left that normally occur.

Children with congenital heart disease may benefit from one of the medically advanced, minimally invasive procedures performed in one of our dedicated pediatric cardiac catheterization labs. Our specialists use catheters, balloons and coils designed uniquely for children and infants to open or dilate narrowed blood vessels and heart valves. Cardiac catheterization procedures may also be used to close areas where blood is not supposed to flow.

Kawasaki disease is a condition that causes high fever and inflammation of the mouth, hands, feet and other areas of the body. The disease causes some of the body’s arteries to become inflamed, including the arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries). Children with Kawasaki disease are treated with IV immunoglobulin. Even if treated, Kawasaki disease can cause the coronary arteries to enlarge and form aneurysms. An aneurysm is a weak area that tends to pouch out like a balloon. The enlarged vessel allows blood to sit still which can cause a blood clot to form in the coronary artery.

Mitral valve stenosis is when the mitral valve is able to only partially open. The mitral valve is a one-way valve in the left side of the heart that allows blood to fill the left ventricle. With a narrowed opening, less blood fills the left ventricle and there is less blood pumped out to the body. Some children with mild mitral valve stenosis do not show any symptoms at all. Some will experience rapid breathing or slow growth. Older children may have trouble exercising or have to rest frequently. Mitral valve stenosis is often caused by a heart defect present at birth.

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the muscle of the heart, causing it to function poorly. The inflammation is usually caused by a viral infection. Sometimes the patient recovers from the virus, but a process of inflammation started by the virus continues. Myocarditis is mostly seen in young infants. Some infants are exposed to a virus before being born. Treatment for myocarditis is based on treating the symptoms of the heart function. If mild or moderate, medications can help.

Pericarditis is a condition where the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed. This inflammation is usually sudden and short lived. It can cause chest pain. Treatment generally involves anti-inflammatory medications. If the sac becomes too thick from the inflammation, surgery may be necessary. Support Our Biggest Stars Donate and help fund life-saving programs, research and support for our pediatric patients.