Common Problems in the Emergency Department in a Child with Known Heart Disease

Children with underlying heart disease often present to the emergency department (ED) with common pediatric illnesses. In addition to the morbidity from the illness itself, these illnesses can further alter the fragile cardiovascular physiology in children with underlying heart disease placing them at a higher risk for complications and mortality. In this chapter, we will provide case-based scenarios of common pediatric conditions such as bronchiolitis, croup, and acute gastroenteritis in children with underlying heart disease to provide a framework for their management. We will also review the changes in the cardiovascular physiology secondary to such illness and their implications in the management of such patients.