In the article, we consider the diagnosis of MARS in cardiology in a child.
The human heart is laid at the end of the third week of pregnancy, develops throughout the entire period inside the womb. In the process of its formation, not only the myocardium (cardiac muscle) is formed, but also creates the fibrous "skeleton" of large vessels (pulmonary artery, aorta, lower and superior vena cava, lung veins) and organ connective tissue.
By birth, all the connective heart structures mature, and at the first cry of the baby, the vascular communications are closed under the influence of increasing intracardiac pressure.
In some cases, it happens that during pregnancy the development of connective heart tissue changes or it is not enough for the physiological closure of the holes in the newborn in the heart. The connective structures of the organ are either too soft to perform their frame functions, or unripe, in this situation, as the child develops, everything gradually normalizes. Then they say that the child has a diagnosis of MARS, which stands for small abnormalities in the development of the heart.
MARS is understood to mean a large group of heart pathologies that arise as a result of abnormal formation of connective tissue. This is manifested in defects in the normal functioning of large vessels and heart valves, the presence of disorders in the atrial septum, excessive compliance of the vascular and heart walls, abnormal attachment of chords or the presence of additional chords.
The number of cases of diagnosis of MARS for a child has recently increased many times. This is primarily due only to the fact that the level of ultrasound diagnostics has become higher, its accessibility has increased.
Deciphering the diagnosis of MARS
To make it easier to remember the categories of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, the abbreviation MARS, which stands for small abnormalities of the development of the heart, was introduced in cardiology . This group of pathological changes includes anomalies in the formation of structures of the internal and external structures of the heart muscle, blood vessels adjacent to it.
Experts say that such violations do not affect in any way the activity of the cardiovascular system and do not affect the blood flow processes. Cardiac abnormalities have been encountered in cardiological practice before, however, the diagnosis of cardiac MARS was rarely detected due to insufficient equipment of institutions with special equipment. At the disposal of modern medicine there is a diagnostic equipment that can detect any changes in the structure of the heart. Actually, this explains the increase in the number of patients diagnosed with MARS and heart diseases.
Below you will find answers to the most popular questions of patients. What is the essence of MARS? What is the significance of the diagnosis in cardiology practice? What types of abnormal heart development and their features exist? Why does this occur? What symptoms are there? How to carry out the treatment?
Causes of MARS
Let us consider this diagnosis in more detail.
MARS in a child, according to experts, occurs due to congenital heart changes. This can also apply to large vessels adjacent to the organ, which are formed during the development of the baby in the mother’s womb. Such changes do not disrupt the functioning of the heart.
The diagnosis of MARS in a child in cardiology is now quite often made.
MARS are temporary in nature, as a rule, the symptoms of abnormal development disappear by the age of five. This is explained by a qualitatively developed medical system for determining such a syndrome at the earliest stages of occurrence, a large number of practical knowledge of specialists, and coordination of diagnostic and therapeutic processes.
For example, a child at a young age was diagnosed with MVP - this is one of the types of MARS - mitral valve prolapse, which has been known in the cardiology field for a long time. The heart in the process of growth of the body has reached the desired size, which corresponds to the age of the patient, as a result of which the diameter of the blood vessels of the heart and the length of the chords normalized.
Many people are interested in the fact that this is a diagnosis of MARS and DBL in a child?
It is worth noting that LCL is an additional chord of the left ventricle. This is one of the possible anomalies. Cardiologists and scientists note that the main reason for the appearance of the syndrome is the combination of a complex of internal and external factors. Internal factors are hereditary changes, genetic predisposition, abnormal distribution of chromosomes. External factors are the state of the ecological and natural environment, a history of a pregnant woman’s illness, her diet, the presence of radiation, smoking, stress, the use of drugs or alcohol.
As a rule, the occurrence of anomalies is due to the stage at which they appeared. After that, a specific reason is determined. For example, if a change appeared at conception, the reason is hereditary; during pregnancy - an inborn feature; after birth - very rare cases.
Regarding anomalies of the hereditary and congenital type, it should be noted that most often they are associated with dysplasia. Such a developmental deviation means that the strength of the connective tissue at the gene level is reduced, which is why the following organs are involved in the abnormal process: septum and heart valves, subvalvular apparatus, and major vessels.
The diagnosis of MARS in a child with heart disease is not always associated.
Symptoms of MARS in childhood
There are no specific signs of the external manifestation of such a diagnosis in a child. What kind of disease is this? After all, children who have such a syndrome usually develop and do not differ much from their peers.
In rare cases, babies are disturbed by arrhythmia, small interruptions in heartbeat, heartaches and changes in blood pressure, which are always temporary. Manifestations of cardiac abnormalities are systemically complex. The diagnosis of heart MARS in children is often combined with abnormalities in the formation of other systems and organs, for example:
- organs of vision;
- nervous system (disorders of the autonomic system, behavior disorders, defectiveness of the articulation apparatus);
- kidney
- liver
- skeleton;
- digestive system (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux);
- urinary system (for example, expansion of the channels of the ureter);
- skin integument;
- gall bladder (for example, its inflection).
Cardiac abnormalities, as a rule, are determined randomly in the treatment of other diseases, for example, diseases of an infectious origin. Symptoms in the diagnosis of MARS in a child are not determined immediately after birth, however, they are easily investigated by diagnostic methods after a while. They may be age-related or permanent, but there will be no serious consequences causing poor health.
The most common types of MARS
In cardiology, one of the most common types of MARS in children is mitral valve prolapse, or MVP. Doctors refer only prolapse of the first degree of appearance to the varieties of a small anomaly. Other types of MVP need constant diagnosis and thorough treatment, since the disease is accompanied by visible signs of a blood flow disorder and is classified differently as heart disease. MVP is determined by ultrasound.
The diagnosis of MARS with LCL is often combined. This is the formation of false (additional) chords in the left ventricular heart structure. Such an anomaly manifests itself in the form of a violation of the heartbeat.
The third type of MARS in a child is the diagnosis of LLC, which stands for an open oval hole. Such a disease is characterized by complete or partial preservation of the interatrial opening, which forms inside the womb. Therefore, pathology can only be determined in a child older than a year. If a hole remains at this age and its diameter is more than five millimeters, we are talking about a serious violation, such as heart disease. The diagnosis of MARS LLC in a child can be confirmed based on ultrasound.
Other varieties of MARS are:
- insufficiency of development of sinus valves;
- pathology of heart valves, which are manifested in their altered number, the wrong size and the presence of serration;
- septal aneurysms;
- violations of the structure of the papillary muscles, which are located in the heart;
- an even larger increase in large vessels.
Reasons for the formation of an additional chord
For the formation of an additional chord in the ventricle of the heart (LCL), a hereditary predisposition becomes one of the important prerequisites. If the mother of the child has pathologies of the heart, the risk of congenital diseases or cardiac abnormalities in the fetus increases. Among the frequent deviations are the false chord, APX, valve leaf prolapse, etc.
You can list the reasons for the formation of anomalies:
- negative effects of drinking water and polluted air;
- the presence of mutational effects associated with smoking, alcohol and drug use during pregnancy.
It is worth noting that these factors are especially dangerous during the formation of the connective structure in the mother’s womb (up to the sixth week) and during the entire period of gestation.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of MARS and heart disease in a child in most cases is determined at one of the examinations by a pediatrician, which children undergo in a clinic in a planned manner at the place of residence. Although there may be a clear absence of symptoms and complaints, a noise will be heard well while listening to the organ. Typically, pediatricians, not trusting one indicator, recommend consulting a pediatric cardiologist and prescribing a direction to a small patient.
Some local doctors do not consider heart murmur as a reason for contacting a narrower specialist and prescribe treatment on their own. In this case, parents should individually consult a pediatric cardiologist, first of all, to establish the absolute clinical picture of the disease, to clarify its presence or absence. During a visit to a cardiologist, you need to honestly answer all questions. To tell how much and how the child eats for the day, whether he is short of breath, what is the weight gain for a month, etc. If the child is already talking, then before visiting a doctor you need to find out from him whether heart pain, dizziness, fainting and rapid heart rate, and then pass it on to a specialist.
Basic research methods
The main examination methods for the diagnosis of MARS are as follows:
- Visual assessment and examination of the situation according to the patient’s symptoms. The initial examination includes cardiac auscultation, that is, listening to an organ for systolic functional murmurs. After that, the doctor carefully palpates the stomach area, examines the stomach, spleen and liver. On the basis of the conclusions obtained at this stage, the cardiologist will issue a conclusion where the need for the next examination or the reasons for its inappropriateness will be noted.
- Electrocardiography This diagnostic method allows you to determine the level and quality of electrical signals that are supplied by the heart for a certain time period, the received information is recorded on a graph. The electrocardiographic method allows you to determine the presence of a load on the heart and its components, to establish defects in the heartbeat.
- Ultrasound This method is especially important, since it makes it possible to accurately identify the presence of anomalies and establish their specific form.
- Phonocardiogram. The method of graphical reflection of noise anomalies on paper with an ECG.
- Echocardiography, or echocardiography. An ultrasound test that diagnoses abnormalities at certain heart points.
What treatment is prescribed for the diagnosis of MARS in cardiology?
Treatment
By the method of treatment, such a diagnosis can be conditionally classified into three main groups. These include:
- methods of treatment with medication;
- surgical intervention method;
- medical non-drug directions.
Under non-pharmacological methods in cardiology are understood: rational nutrition; normal sleep patterns; classes in therapeutic gymnastics or physical activity. At the same time, you should not send a child with a diagnosis of MARS to sports. Such desires should be supported by medical advice. The patient's daily routine should be strictly organized.
In cardiology, the diagnosis of MARS is not so long ago. That is why during the study of the features of pathology, many therapeutic methods have been developed.
Drug treatment
Drug treatments include:
- the use of drugs that normalize the tissue metabolic process of the connective type. First of all, these are medicines containing potassium and magnesium (“Orotat”, “Magnesium B6”, “Magnnerot”, “Asparkam”, etc.).
- Cardiotrophic treatment. This is cardiac therapy by nourishing the heart muscle. In this case, it is important to take drugs that affect the circulatory mechanisms in the human body, improve metabolism and nutrition of heart tissues. Most often prescribed are “Cyto-poppy”, “Elkar”, “Kudesan”, “Ubiquinon”.
- Vitamin treatment. The use of minerals and vitamins (B 1 and 2, succinic and citric acids) is mandatory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to recall that in cardiology the abbreviation MARS is deciphered as follows: small anomalies in the development of the heart. You need to understand that such a pathology is special. You can not call her life-threatening, but ignore the diagnosis made by the cardiologist, also should not be. It requires the supervision and attention of parents and the attending physician. There is no need to panic, because the illness does not hinder the baby's life, you do not need to limit it from your usual activities. The main thing is not to leave the diagnosis unattended, at the same time not vaccinating the baby with complexes of a person with health restrictions.