The Pediatric Center for Heart Disease at Hackensack University Medical Center
The Pediatric Center for Heart Disease is a cardiology practice dedicated to providing the best possible cardiac care. State-of-the-art clinical care is focused on the prevention, management, and treatment of both congenital and acquired heart disease in the fetus, newborn, and adolescent. The Pediatric Center for Heart Disease brings together some of the finest physicians, each board-certified in pediatric cardiology, and the most dedicated nurses, committed to providing our patients with exceptional care. Plus, the staff has the unparalleled benefit of relying on the full resources of the nationally-recognized, award-winning Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center.
Services
Echocardiography
Electrocardiography (ECG)
Event recording
Holter monitoring
Treadmill/bicycle stress testing
Stress echocardiography
Fetal echocardiography
Pacemaker/defibrillator interrogation
Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center
The Gregory M. Hirsch Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, housed within pediatric cardiology, is dedicated to providing individualized care, treatment and support to patients and families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It is the first facility established in the area to screen families for HCM. This unique approach enhances care and communication between medical staff and family members.
The Gregory M. Hirsch HCM Center is proud of our inter-disciplinary team approach. Together, experts in cardiology, genetics, radiology, pathology, electrophysiology, Child Life and Social Work Services offer optimal patient care.
Although hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects 1 in 500 individuals, making HCM a common occurrence, it is often unrecognized and misdiagnosed. An evaluation by an experienced, knowledgeable team is critical to managing this complex disease. The specialized cardiologists and nurses at the Gregory M. Hirsch Center are trained to recognize the subtleties of HCM.
Knowledge is a key component in managing and living with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The Gregory M. Hirsch Centeris dedicated to education, not only for the patient and family, but for the lay and professional community as well.
Office Hours
The office opens each weekday morning at 8:30 am. Patients are seen by appointment only on Mondays and Fridays from 8:30 am to 5 pm and Tuesday through Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm.
Things to Remember About Your Appointment:
-
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to complete the necessary paperwork.
-
Bring your insurance card and any necessary referrals or pre-approval forms.
-
Allow 45 minutes to one hour for your appointment.
-
Babies should be dressed in two piece outfits and caregivers should be sure to bring a bottle and/or pacifier to calm the baby during testing.
-
All patients should refrain from putting any lotions or creams on their body.
-
Patients undergoing stress tests should wear sneakers and exercise clothes, should avoid caffeine the day of the test, and should not have anything to eat for at least two hours prior to the test, but should drink water throughout the day.
-
Lipid patients should have blood work completed prior to the appointment and should bring the results with them.
Glossary
Congenital Heart Disease:
Of all heart problems in children, congenital heart defects (those present at birth) are the most common, afflicting nearly one out of every 100 babies and some 30-35,000 children each year in the US. Forms of congenital heart disease include:
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) - an opening in the septum that divides the left and right upper chambers.
Coarctation of the Aorta - a narrowing of the aorta.
Tetralogy of Fallot - this complex heart malformation involves a combination of four defects.
Transposition of the Great Arteries – a defect in which the aorta and pulmonary artery are reversed.
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) – an opening in the septum that divides the right and left lower heart chambers.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – occurs when the left side of the heart is underdeveloped.
Acquired Heart Disease:
Acquired heart disease can develop in children after an illness. The four main types of acquired heart disorder in children are:
Kawasaki disease – an illness that occurs mainly in young children and may leave the heart muscle or coronary arteries damaged.
Myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart due to a viral infection.
Cardiomyopathy – a disease of the heart muscle caused by either a genetic disorder or an infection.
Rheumatic heart disease – caused by rheumatic fever and may lead to heart muscle and valve damage.
Rhythm Disturbances:
Any variation from the normal rhythm of the heartbeat:
Bradycardia – a heart rate slower than normal for age
Tachycardia – a heart rate faster than normal for age
Supraventricular tachycardia – the most common abnormal tachycardia that occurs in the upper chambers
Palpitations – a single or multiple irregular beat
Wolffe-Parkinson White syndrome – an abnormal conduction pathway running between the upper and lower chambers
Ventricular tachycardia – a fast rate that starts in the lower chambers
Staff
Section Chief
Assistant Section Chief
Faculty
Advanced Practice Nurse
Denise Crosta, RN, APN
Helpful Links