Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
07:27

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

Published on: July 18, 2014

25.0K

Neurologic complications of pediatric congenital heart disease

Elizabeth Pulcine1, Gabrielle deVeber1

  • 1Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|February 26, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) face increased risks of neurologic complications and neurodevelopmental issues. This summary outlines common neurological comorbidities in CHD and their management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Improved survival rates in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) have increased the lifetime risk of neurologic complications.
  • Neurologic comorbidities significantly impact long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in pediatric patients with CHD.
  • Focus is shifting towards recognizing and mitigating these extracardiac comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the most common neurologic comorbidities associated with congenital heart disease.
  • To discuss the management strategies for these neurologic complications in pediatric populations.
  • To highlight the impact of CHD on brain development and neurodevelopmental trajectories.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of common neurologic comorbidities in congenital heart disease.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of neurodevelopmental consequences.
  • Overview of established and emerging management approaches.

Main Results:

  • Vascular complications like arterial ischemic stroke are prevalent.
  • Infective complications, including infective endocarditis, are common.
  • Localization-related epilepsy and broader impacts on brain development are recognized.

Conclusions:

  • Congenital heart disease is linked to a spectrum of neurologic comorbidities.
  • Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach addressing both cardiac and neurologic aspects.
  • Early recognition and intervention are crucial for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with CHD.

Keywords:
Brain abscessCardioembolic strokeComplicationCongenital heart diseaseEpilepsyInfective endocarditisNeurodevelopmentNeurologicPediatric arterial ischemic stroke

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Simulating Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Using a Neonatal Piglet Model04:55

Author Spotlight: Simulating Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Using a Neonatal Piglet Model

Published on: May 26, 2023

1.1K
A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy10:02

A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy

Published on: November 3, 2016

25.0K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management01:28

Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...
125
Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview01:28

Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview

Cardiac catheterization is an invasive diagnostic technique used to identify and evaluate structural and functional diseases of the heart and major blood vessels. This technique diagnoses congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and coronary spasms and assesses ventricular function. It helps guide treatment decisions, including the need for revascularization procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and...
503
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
2.2K
Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization01:21

Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization

Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...
367
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
144
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
1.9K