Division of Cardiology

Our division treats all kinds of cardiovascular diseases that occur in fetuses, neonates, children, and young adults. We provide diagnostics and treatment services in collaboration with the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Division of Fetal Medicine, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). We have proven track records in the management of patients with complex congenital heart diseases, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary hypertension. We are performing a fetal intervention program for critical aortic stenosis in the near future, the first of its kind in Japan. Ventricular assist device treatment for children is also available at our institution.

Medical services

Our division is comprised of four staff physicians and three fellows. We refer patients with congenital heart defects to cardiovascular surgeons in a timely manner. Fetuses with cardiac problems are managed in cooperation with the Division of Fetal Medicine. Patients in a critical condition, for whom intensive medical care is required, are managed in close collaboration with the NICU and PICU.

Diagnosis and treatment policy

Our policy is to ensure that all infants and children born with cardiac problems, or those who have acquired heart disease during childhood, have access to effective diagnostics and therapy, and are given the best possible chance of enjoying a full and healthy life. To achieve this, we provide a full range of medical care in collaboration with other divisions at the NCCHD. We put special focus on "less invasive" management.

Specialties

Treatment of complex neonatal congenital heart disease
Implementation of device treatment: the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) for atrial septal defect (ASD), and the Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO) for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA); authorized by the Japanese Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Society (JPIC)
Fetal cardiology: fetal echocardiographic examination and parent counseling. We will launch the fetal intervention program for critical aortic stenosis in the near future, the fi rst in Japan.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for fulminant myocarditis
Ventricular assist device (VAD) for children with severe heart failure
Treatment of pulmonary hypertension with combination of various pulmonary vasodilating agents

Target diseases

Congenital heart disease, arrhythmia, coronary lesions caused by Kawasaki disease, myocardial diseases, pulmonary hypertension, and systemic diseases including Marfan syndrome.

Advanced/specialized treatments

Catheter occlusion for ASD and PDA
Fetal catheter intervention
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for congenital heart defects
Ventricular assist device

Frequently performed tests

Echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, cardiac MRI, exercise ECG with expired gas analysis, cardiac radioisotope (RI) examination