The pediatric cardiologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats children with a cardiac conditions. They work with patient antenatally, through childhood and into adulthood.
Common questions on Pediatric Cardiologist?
How long will the surgery take?
The amount of time in the operating room depending upon the childтАЩs heart defect and type of surgery. Your surgeon will be able to answer this question. When the surgery is completed, your surgeon will meet with you. Parents are allowed to visit the child approximately one hour after the childтАЩs arrival in the PICU.
Where do parents wait during the surgery?
There is a large waiting area in the hospital, near the cardiac operating rooms. Parents, another family, and friends may wait there. Someone from the operating room will update you during the surgery.
Will my child need a blood transfusion?
Yes, with very few exceptions, any child who has heart surgery will need a blood transfusion. We encourage family and friends to donate blood for the child.
How long will my child be in the hospital?
Every child is different. Every day your child is here, your doctor and will make it a priority to communicate with you about the childтАЩs condition and progress and plan for discharge.
When will my child be able to eat?
It is very important that the child not eat after midnight on the night before the surgery. After surgery, every child is different and it will depend upon the kind of surgery he has, but children are often ready to start eating one day after their heart surgery.
When do we have to come back to the hospital?
Your child will be seen by the nurse practitioner or the surgeon for a wound check 1тАУ2 weeks after being discharged from the hospital. You will also see the cardiologist in 1тАУ2 weeks and continue to follow with him or her throughout the childтАЩs life. It is also important that your regular pediatrician sees the child soon after surgery.
Dr. Rahul Patil 