💖 February 14 | Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day
- Feb 14
- 2 min read
Congenital heart diseases are structural abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth and are often detected via echocardiography already during fetal life. One in every 100 newborns is born with a congenital heart defect, and it is estimated that over 4,000 people in Cyprus live with a history of congenital heart disease. Congenital heart diseases can affect infants, children, and adults, and usually require specialized and long-term monitoring.
In Cyprus, until 2021, patients were systematically followed by our excellent pediatric cardiologists, but treatment was primarily provided abroad, with only sporadic cases of simple heart defects receiving care on the island.
The Cardiac Innovation Center of Apollonio Private Hospital is the only center on the island that consistently provides both cardiac surgery and catheter-based care for children and adults with congenital heart disease. At the Cardiac Innovation Center, we care for each patient with a comprehensive and individualized approach, from the neonatal period through adulthood.
To date, more than 300 patients with congenital heart disease, aged from 1 month to 76 years, have received the treatment they needed—including complex surgeries and re-operations—safely and with excellent outcomes, which have been published. This means families can remain close to home without facing the stress, inconvenience, or financial burden of traveling abroad.
Our care is built on the experience and expertise of the Cardiac Innovation Center team, led by Dr. Ioannis Tzanavaros, Pediatric and Adult Cardiac Surgeon, who has performed over 1,000 cardiac surgeries in patients with congenital heart disease (out of more than 4,000 total cardiac surgeries), ranging from premature newborns weighing only 400 grams to complex pediatric and adult cases. The head of pediatric anesthesia is Dr. Galatoudis, who has long served as a cardiac anesthesiologist in Germany.
Interventional cardiology procedures are supported by Dr. Aphroditi Tzifa, interventional pediatric cardiologist, and Dr. Dimosthenis Avramidis, pediatric cardiologist and pediatric electrophysiologist, both with distinguished careers at major centers abroad.
Our experienced intensive care team is further strengthened for pediatric procedures by consultants from leading pediatric hospitals in Germany.
An important role in informing, supporting, and educating individuals with congenital heart disease and their families is played by the Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Heart Disease, a charitable organization that, through awareness activities, lectures, collaborations, and educational programs, consistently supports children with congenital heart disease and their families. The collaboration between the Cardiac Innovation Center and the Association serves as a guarantee of progress in the field of congenital heart disease.
On the occasion of Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Day, the Cardiac Innovation Center continues to support every heart in need, combining expertise, innovation, and compassionate care. 💙
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