The Pediatric Cardiology Service of the National Medical Center "20 de Noviembre" stands out for its dedication and professionalism in the detection and treatment of cardiac conditions. One of the most notable aspects of this service is its fetal echocardiography team, which performs more than 200 annual studies on pregnant women between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation to assess the health of the baby's heart.
In the words of the head of this service, Humberto García Aguilar, fetal echocardiography is a crucial study that uses ultrasound to obtain real-time images of the fetal heart, allowing for early identification of congenital heart defects. This procedure, which lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, uses a transducer that emits high-frequency sound waves to capture detailed images of the fetal heart.
The early detection of cardiac problems in fetuses is essential for planning the birth and postnatal care, García emphasized. The recent nationalization of the hemodynamics room at the CMN "20 de Noviembre" has been crucial to ensure that the medical team has the necessary resources to promptly treat fetuses diagnosed with complex cardiac lesions.
According to García, these conditions require immediate attention in the first hours of life to ensure the survival of the newborn, so the medical center strives to have the necessary tools available year-round. The National Medical Center "20 de Noviembre" is recognized nationally and internationally for its leadership in fetal echocardiography, being the most sought-after venue for training medical personnel in this area.
On the occasion of World Congenital Heart Defects Day, the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) highlighted the valuable work of cardiology specialists in this institution. The process of fetal echocardiography involves the patient lying on a stretcher and having a special gel applied to the abdomen to facilitate the effective transmission of ultrasound waves.
