In the article, we will consider the diagnosis of MARS in cardiology in a child.
The human heart is laid down 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 (heart muscle) is formed, but also the connective tissue that creates the fibrous "skeleton" of large vessels (pulmonary artery, aorta, inferior and superior vena cava, veins of the lungs) and the organ.
By birth, all connective cardiac structures mature, and at the first cry of the baby, the communications of the vessels are closed under the influence of increasing intracardiac pressure.
In some cases, it happens that during pregnancy the development of the connective heart tissue changes or it is not enough to physiologically close the holes in the newborn in the heart. The connecting structures of the organ are either too soft to fulfill theirframe functions, or immature, in such a situation, as the child develops, everything gradually returns to normal. Then they say that the child has a diagnosis of MARS, which stands for minor anomalies in the development of the heart.
MARS refers to a large group of heart pathologies that occur as a result of improper formation of connective tissue. This manifests itself in defects in the normal operation of large vessels and valves of the heart, the presence of disturbances in the interatrial septum, excessive compliance of the vascular and cardiac walls, abnormal attachment of chords or the presence of additional chords.
The number of cases of MARS diagnosis in a child has recently increased many times. This is primarily due to the fact that the level of ultrasound cardiac diagnostics has become higher, its availability 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 was introduced in cardiology, which stands for minor anomalies in the development of the heart. This group of pathological changes includes anomalies in the formation of structures of the internal and external structure of the heart muscle, vessels adjacent to it.
Specialists say that such disorders do not affect the activity of the cardiovascular system in any way and do not affect blood flow processes. Cardiac anomalies have been encountered in cardiology practice before, but the diagnosis of MARS of the heart was rarely detected due to insufficient equipment of institutions with special equipment. Modern medicine hasdiagnostic equipment that can determine any changes in the structure of the heart. Actually, this explains the increase in the number of patients diagnosed with MARS and heart disease.
The answers to the most popular questions from patients will be given below. What is the essence of MARS? What is the significance of diagnosis in cardiological practice? What types of abnormal development of the heart and their features exist? Why does such a phenomenon occur? What symptoms are observed? How to properly treat?
Causes of MARS
Let's consider this diagnosis in more detail.
MARS in a child, according to experts, occurs due to congenital heart changes. This may 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 work of the heart.
The diagnosis of MARS in a child in cardiology is now established quite often.
MARS are temporary, as a rule, the symptoms of abnormal development disappear by the age of five of the patient. This is explained by a qualitatively developed medical system for determining such a syndrome at the earliest stages of occurrence, a large amount of practical knowledge of specialists, and coordination of diagnostic and treatment 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 cardiological field for a long time. Heart induring the growth of the organism, it reached the desired size, which corresponds to the age of the patient, as a result of which the diameter of the vessels of the heart and the length of the chords returned to normal.
Many wonder what it is - a diagnosis of MARS and LVDC in a child?
It is worth noting that LVDH is an additional chord of the left ventricle. This is one of the possible anomalies. Cardiologists and scientists note that the main cause of the syndrome is a 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, exposure to radiation, smoking, stress experienced, 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 cause is hereditary; during pregnancy - a congenital 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 deviation in development means that the strength of the connective tissue is reduced at the gene level, due to which the following organs are involved in the abnormal process: septa and valves of the heart, subvalvular apparatus, main vessels.
The diagnosis of MARS in a child is not always associated with heart disease.
Symptoms of MARS in childhood
There are no specific signs of external manifestations of such a diagnosis in a child. What is this disease? After all, children who have this syndrome usually develop and do not differ much from their peers.
Babies are rarely bothered by arrhythmia, slight interruptions in heart beat, heart pain and changes in blood pressure, which are always temporary. Manifestations of anomalies of the heart have a system-complex character. The diagnosis of MARS of the heart in children is often combined with anomalies in the formation of other systems and organs, for example:
- organs of vision;
- nervous system (disorders of the autonomic system, behavioral disorders, defective articulatory apparatus);
- kidney;
- liver;
- skeleton;
- digestive system (eg gastroesophageal reflux);
- urinary system (eg dilation of the ureteral channels);
- integuments of the skin;
- of the gallbladder (for example, its inflection).
Cardiac anomalies are usually detected by chance during the treatment of other diseases, for example, diseases of an infectious origin. The symptoms of a MARS diagnosis in a child are not determined immediately after birth, but they are easily examined by diagnostic methods after some time. They may be age-related or permanent, but there will be no serious consequences that cause deterioration in he alth.
The most common types of MARS
In cardiology, one ofThe most common type of MARS in children is mitral valve prolapse, or MVP. Doctors refer exclusively to prolapse of the first degree of appearance to the varieties of a small anomaly. Other types of MVP need constant diagnosis and careful treatment, since the disease is accompanied by visible signs of impaired blood flow and is classified differently as a heart defect. MVP is determined by means of an ultrasound examination method.
The diagnosis of MARS is often combined with LVH. This is the formation of false (additional) chords in the left ventricular cardiac structure. Such an anomaly manifests itself in the form of a violation of the heartbeat.
The third type of MARS in a child is a diagnosis of PFO, which stands for open foramen ovale. Such a disease is characterized by the complete or partial preservation of the interatrial opening, which is formed inside the womb. Therefore, pathology can only be determined in a child older than a year. If at this age the hole persists and its diameter is more than five millimeters, we are talking about a serious violation, such as heart disease. You can confirm the diagnosis of MARS LLC in a child based on ultrasound.
Other varieties of MARS are:
- sinus valve underdevelopment;
- pathologies of the heart valves, which are manifested in their changed number, the wrong size and the presence of serrations;
- aneurysms of the septal heart;
- violations of the structure of the papillary muscles, which are located in the heart;
- an even greater increase in largevessels.
Reasons for the formation of an additional chord
For the formation of an additional chord in the ventricle of the heart (LVDC), one of the important prerequisites is hereditary predisposition. If the mother of the child has heart pathologies, the risk of congenital diseases or cardiac abnormalities in the fetus increases. False chorda, ARCH, valve leaflet prolapse, etc. are among the frequent deviations.
You can enumerate the list of reasons for the formation of anomalies:
- negative impact of drinking water and polluted air;
- presence of mutational influences 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 bearing the baby.
Diagnosis
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 polyclinic in a planned manner at their place of residence. Although there may be a clear absence of symptoms and complaints, and while listening to the organ, noise will be well heard. Usually, pediatricians, not trusting one indicator, recommend consulting a pediatric cardiologist and write out a referral for a small patient.
Some district doctors do not consider a heart murmur to be the reason for going to a narrower specialist and prescribe treatment on their own. In this case, parents should individually contact the childcardiologist, primarily to establish the absolute clinical picture of the disease, clarify its presence or absence. During a visit to a cardiologist, you need to honestly answer all questions. Tell how much and how the child eats per day, whether he suffers from shortness of breath, what is the weight gain per month, etc. If the child is already talking, then before visiting the doctor you need to ask him if there are pains in the heart, dizziness, fainting and acceleration pulse, and then take it to a specialist.
Basic research methods
The main methods of examination for the diagnosis of MARS are as follows:
- Visual assessment and examination of the situation according to the patient's symptoms. The primary examination includes cardiac auscultation, that is, listening to the organ for systolic functional noises. After that, the doctor will carefully palpate the gastric region, examine the abdomen, spleen and liver. Based on the conclusions obtained at this stage, the cardiologist will issue a conclusion, which will indicate the need for the next examination or the reasons for its inexpediency.
- Electrocardiography. This diagnostic method allows you to determine the level and quality of electrical signals that are supplied by the heart over a certain time period, the information obtained 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 heartbeat defects.
- Ultrasound. This method is especially important because it allowsaccurately detecting the presence of anomalies and establishing their specific type.
- Phonocardiogram. The method of graphical reflection of noise anomalies on paper along with an ECG.
- EchoCG, or echocardiography. An ultrasound examination that diagnoses abnormalities in certain heart points.
What is the treatment for the diagnosis of MARS in cardiology?
Treatment
According to the method of treatment, such a diagnosis can be conditionally classified into three main groups. These include:
- methods of medical treatment;
- surgery method;
- medical non-drug directions.
Non-drug methods in cardiology are understood as: rational nutrition; normal sleep pattern; therapeutic gymnastics or physical activity. At the same time, you should not send a child with a diagnosis of MARS to big-time sports. Such desires must be supported by medical recommendations. The patient's daily routine must be strictly organized.
In cardiology, the diagnosis of MARS has become widespread not so long ago. That is why, during the study of the characteristics of the pathology, many therapeutic methods have been developed.
Medication treatment
Medical 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”, “Magnerot”, “Asparkam” andetc.).
- Cardiotrophic treatment. This is cardiac therapy by nourishing the heart muscle. In this case, it is important to take drugs that affect the mechanisms of blood circulation in the human body, improve metabolism and nourish heart tissues. Most often, Cyto-Mak, Elkar, Kudesan, Ubiquinon are prescribed.
- 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 remind you that in cardiology, the abbreviation MARS is deciphered as follows: minor anomalies in the development of the heart. You need to understand that such a pathology is special. You can’t call it life-threatening, but you shouldn’t ignore the diagnosis made by a cardiologist either. It requires the supervision and attention of parents and the attending physician. There is no need to panic, because the disease will not interfere with the life of the baby, there is no need to limit him from his usual activities. The main thing is not to leave the diagnosis without attention, while at the same time not instilling complexes of a person with he alth limitations in the baby.
