Heart Disease in Infancy and Childhood

Abstract

Three cardiologists have written the second edition of their book presenting the knowledge accumulated during the last nine years regarding the incidence, embryology, pathophysiology, clinical features, electrocardiographic changes, radiologic examination, treatment, and prognosis of heart disease in the pediatric age group. Dramatic progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease. Technological advances have made possible diagnostic studies and surgical procedures previously inconceivable. Consecutive studies of the pathophysiology of pulmonary over-circulation have established guide lines for the management of patients with left to right shunts. Follow-up evaluation of the individual methods of surgical treatment has permitted an assessment of the merits of each. After reviewing their own observations and those recorded in the literature, the authors summarize the pertinent information and experience concerning types of heart disease found in infancy and childhood. Congenital, rheumatic, metabolic, infectious, collagen, endocrine, pulmonary, chromosomal, neuromuscular, and arteriosclerotic heart disorders are