Cardiology

We give you and your child access to a full scope of services and amenities through our cardiology program, including:

• 14-bed pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU)
• 24-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)
• 72-bed Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• Bar coding and smart pump technology for safe medication administration
• Dedicated inpatient pediatric pharmacy, staffed by clinical pediatric pharmacists and technicians
• Hybrid heart procedures that combine the benefits of interventional catheterization and surgery
• Pediatric and neonatal transport team
• Pediatric cardiac anesthesia

Our CICU provides intensive, specialized care to children with heart conditions. Here, we adapt our high-tech rooms to your child's needs and required level of care, and at least one doctor is present 24/7.

The dedicated team in this unit meets daily for rounds to discuss and personalize each child's care plan. We welcome you to join us in these daily rounds, so you can be part of the updates and discussions.

To further accommodate your family in the CICU, we provide:

• Dedicated waiting room with a refrigerator for family use, as well as complimentary coffee, tea, water and snacks
• Large private rooms and a dedicated family space to support at least one parent, guardian or support person at your child's bedside 24/7
• Private shower for families, with linens available
• Quiet room for families to relax and have a private conversation with the care team when necessary

Your child's doctor may use several imaging tests to diagnose heart conditions. These tests are performed at our hospital using special equipment, which is tailored your child's care.

Cardiovascular tests we offer include:

• Chest X-rays
• Computerized tomography (CT) scans
• Echocardiograms, including fetal echocardiograms
• Electrocardiograms (EKG)
• Exercise tests
• Holter monitoring
• Laboratory tests
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans

Electrophysiology (EP) procedures

Electrophysiology focuses on the heart's electrical system. Your child's doctor may order an EP study to diagnose the source of abnormal electrical signals causing a heart arrhythmia. Electrophysiology services take place in a specialized room of our cardiac cath lab.

In addition to EP studies, electrophysiology services include:

• Cryoablation — Using intense cold to destroy the sources of abnormal electrical signals
• Pacemaker and defibrillator implantation — Inserting small devices that monitor and send energy to your child's heart when necessary
• Radiofrequency ablation — Using radiofrequencies to destroy the sources of abnormal electrical signals

We have one of the only pediatric cath labs in Nevada. The lab team has specialized knowledge, education and training to care for cardiac conditions in children. Cardiac catheterization is a tool we use to observe the heart in action and treat congenital heart disease.

Thanks to advancements in heart treatment techniques, we are able to treat a variety of heart conditions in the cardiac cath lab, as opposed to traditional, invasive heart surgery. In fact, some catheterization procedures are preferred over heart surgery, because they are typically less invasive, have fewer risks and require a shorter recovery period.

Cardiac catheterization procedures

During a cardiac catheterization procedure, a catheter (small tube) is inserted through your child's skin into a blood vessel, then guided to their heart with the assistance of live X-rays. The entry site is usually in their groin or upper arm area.

We use the catheter to move diagnostic and treatment tools directly to the specific area of your child's heart requiring attention.

In the cardiac cath lab, our doctors can:

• Close abnormal holes in your child's heart
• Closely observe heart structures
• Expand narrowed passages
• Measure blood pressure at specific locations in their heart
• Open new passages where needed

Our pediatric surgery team provides specialized care, with a family-centered focus. We offer both a primary waiting area and a child-friendly waiting area with activities. Our approach ensures that you can stay with your child up until the minute we take them to the operating room. We make sure to always keep you in the loop, sharing updates while they are in surgery and reuniting them with you as soon as possible.

Families living outside of the Greater Las Vegas area can take advantage of resources from the Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater of Las Vegas. This organization offers housing and support services on or off campus during your child's stay in the hospital.

Our congenital heart center is one of few in Nevada that can treat children who require cardiac ECMO before or after congenital heart surgery. ECMO is a potentially lifesaving technique that mimics the natural function of the heart and lungs, allowing your child's body to rest and recover before surgery.

If your child has congenital heart disease, it means they were born with one or more problems that affect their heart. Unlike acquired heart disease, this condition occurs before your child is born. /p>

We offer a number of tests to diagnose congenital heart disease, including chest X-rays, CT scans, EKGs, Holter monitoring, lab tests and MRI scans.

Treatment options for congenital heart disease include surgery, cardiac catheterization, interventional cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology procedures.