[Psychologic adjustment in pediatric cardiologic interventions. Observations and recommendations]

Under the assumption that no appropriate psychological care of children exists in the area of pediatric cardiology, a pediatric-cardiologic team worked together with a child-and-adolescent-psychiatrist to define the possibilities of preventing psychic traumatisation associated with cardiac interventions on children. The emotional reactions of children between 5 and 15 years of age and of their parents in connection with a cardiac catheter examination, as well as the role of the intervening doctor in his own eyes and in the eyes of the child, will be described. Practical recommendations for patients, families and institution follow, concerning the preparation of cardiac interventions with children and a detailed preparation program for cardiac catheter examination.