Expanding Pediatric Cardiovascular Care in South Texas: A Strategy to Address Critical Health Needs

Recognizing the alarming rates of cardiac disease among children in South Texas, CHRISTUS Children's in San Antonio has made significant strides in expanding its pediatric cardiovascular program. Led by Dr. Ravi Ashwath, division chief of pediatric cardiology, the hospital has invested in strategic initiatives to increase care access and improve heart health outcomes for the region's kids. By addressing complex risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and socioeconomic disparities, CHRISTUS Children's aims to provide comprehensive heart care and foster long-term health and well-being for the community.

Key Takeaways:

• CHRISTUS Children's has expanded its pediatric cardiovascular program, increasing access to specialized heart care services in South Texas.
• The hospital has addressed risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and socioeconomic disparities, which contribute to the high prevalence of cardiac disease among children in the region.
• The program has invested in advanced imaging capabilities, including 3D printing, cardiac CTs, and fetal cardiac MRI capabilities, making it the only provider of these services in South Texas.
• The hospital offers wraparound assistance, including services from child life specialists, dieticians, occupational and physical therapists, geneticists, pharmacists, behavioral health providers, and social workers.
• Despite progress, the program faces challenges such as a shortage of pediatric cardiologists and subspecialists, disparities in insurance, transportation, and other basics, and a gap in prevention and early intervention around obesity and diabetes.
• CHRISTUS Health is committed to overcoming these challenges and providing consistent, high-level care for vulnerable children and families in South Texas.

Statistics:

• CHRISTUS Children's pediatric cardiovascular program serves as a central hub for pediatric cardiovascular services in the region.
• The hospital has invested in a multiyear capital infusion to accelerate the growth and advancement of the pediatric cardiology program.
• 3D printing technology allows for printed heart models to be used in planning and practicing cardiology procedures.
• The Heart Center at CHRISTUS Children's offers a wide range of services, including congenital heart surgery, cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology, fetal cardiology, advanced cardiac imaging, cardiac intensive care, cardiovascular genetic testing, and exercise stress testing.
• The hospital has implemented advanced imaging capabilities, including stress cardiac MRIs, 4D flows, fetal cardiac MRI capabilities, cardiac CTs for all ages, including newborns, and virtual and augmented reality for diagnosing and treating complex congenital heart disease.

Sources:

• Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA)
• CHRISTUS Children's in San Antonio
• Dr. Ravi Ashwath, division chief of pediatric cardiology at CHRISTUS Children's and a pediatrics professor at Baylor College of Medicine
• Cris Daskevich, CEO of CHRISTUS Children's and senior vice president of pediatric and maternal services for CHRISTUS Health