Slavica Popović
Služba za kardiologijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Suzana Gartna
Služba za kardiologijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Mojca Naglič
Služba za kardiologijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract

Congenital heart defects and cardiac arrhythmias in chil-dren and adolescents are among the most demanding are-as of paediatric cardiology. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is one of the most complex congenital heart defects, as neonatal survival depends on timely recognition, maintenance of systemic circulation, and staged surgical palliation. Electrophysiological studies, catheter ablation, and diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterisation have become important components of contemporary paediatric cardiac care. This article presents an organisational model of nursing care for children with HLHS and for invasive procedures in paediatric cardiology. It highlights the nurse’s role in clinical monitoring, early recognition of warning signs, preparation for procedures, postoperative and post-procedural surveillance, parental education, and coordination of care. During the analysed period, 56 electrophysiological procedures and 74 cardiac catheterisations were performed without major complications. Clinical experience confirms that standardised preparation, specialised nursing competencies, and multidisciplinary collaboration contribute significantly to safe, continuous, and family-centred care for children with heart disease.

Key words: congenital heart defects; hypoplastic left heart syndrome; paediatric cardiology; cardiac catheterisation; electrophysiology; nursing care; child; family-centred care