Pham P, Silberbach M: What's new in pediatric cardiology. Pediatr Rev 2004; 25(11):381-6.
This article briefly reviews some of the advances in cardiac development, pathogenesis of heart disease, and current diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. There are advances in noninvasive imaging and treatment of congenital heart disease. Children with complex congenital cardiac lesions can undergo precise and minimally invasive transesophageal echocardiography before risking surgery. Transesophageal echocardiography is multiplane imaging that can be used on infants weighing as little as 1,500 g. Continuing genetic research suggests that many cardiac malformations begin as genetic defects. Gene linkage studies, modifier genes, and single gene mutations suggest the prognostic value of family genetic screening and prenatal counseling.