Conditions Treated by the Pediatric Coronary Artery Clinic

Congenital Coronary Artery Disease

What is Coronary Artery Anomaly?

The coronary arteries are the two arteries that come from the aorta to provide blood to the heart. A defect or anomaly occurs when one or both of the coronary arteries have an abnormality or malformation. If the malformation is present at birth, it is called congenital. These defects are often related to the location or origin of the coronary artery. Defects in the coronary artery can also occur if the artery is larger or smaller in size, or the shape of the artery is abnormal. Coronary artery disease can also occur along with other congenital heart defects.

Coronary artery defects do not usually have symptoms and are therefore often not diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood. If symptoms are present they can include chest pain, heart failure or even sudden cardiac death.

Kawasaki Disease

What Is Kawasaki Disease?

Kawasaki disease is an inflammatory illness that manifests itself with a high fever; red eyes; dry, red, cracked lips and tongue; rash; swollen neck lymph nodes; and redness and swelling of the palms and soles of the feet. Sometimes it causes the coronary arteries to become enlarged and even develop aneurysms. Specialists in our Coronary Artery Clinic can help diagnose and manage children with Kawasaki disease particularly those with changes in their coronary arteries.