Congenital Heart Disease
Medications

Medications for Congenital Heart Disease

The management of congenital heart disease often involves a combination of approaches that include medications along with surgical interventions. Medications help improve symptoms and support heart function. The types of medications prescribed will depend on the type of heart defect and how serious it is.

Some commonly used medications include treating various congenital heart disease types include:

• Diuretics: Diuretics can help reduce the accumulation of fluid and manage symptoms that occur as a result of fluid retention, such as oedema and difficulty breathing as the area around the lungs fills with fluid.
• Digoxin: This medication strengthens the heart’s contractions and further regulates the heart rhythm which is often impacted with congenital heart disease.
• ACE inhibitors or ARBs: These medications may be prescribed to reduce blood pressure, lessen strain on the heart, and improve overall function.
• Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers can be used to control and slow the body’s heart rate, lower blood pressure, and relieve symptoms in particular cases of congenital heart disease, such as certain types of arrhythmias, or to help reduce high blood pressure.
• Prostaglandins: Infants born with specific congenital heart defects may be given prostaglandins, such as alprostadil which works by opening up blood vessels while helping improve blood flow and oxygenation.
• Anticoagulants: If there is an increased risk of blood clot formation, especially in certain congenital heart defects involving abnormal blood flow patterns or when artificial implants have been installed then anticoagulant medications like warfarin or DOACs may be prescribed.