Cardiology
Consultant – Paediatric Cardiology18 years of experience
Manipal Hospitals
Bengaluru
Dr. Kavya Mallikarjun is a Consultant in Paediatric Cardiology at Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport Road, Bengaluru. She has over 18 years of experience in the evaluation and management of heart conditions affecting newborns, infants, children and adolescents. Her clinical expertise includes congenital heart disease, paediatric echocardiography, fetal cardiac assessment and interventional paediatric cardiology.
She completed her MBBS and MD in Paediatrics at JSS Medical College, Mysore, followed by advanced training in Paediatric Cardiology at Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore, where she obtained her DNB qualification. Her medical training combines general paediatric care with specialised assessment and management of cardiovascular conditions in children.
Dr. Kavya Mallikarjun has expertise in non-invasive cardiac investigations, including transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fetal echocardiography. These investigations help assess the structure and function of the heart, identify congenital abnormalities and support treatment planning for children with suspected or diagnosed cardiac conditions.
Her documented interventional expertise includes diagnostic cardiac catheterisation, device closure of atrial septal defects (ASD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and selected ventricular septal defects (VSD), as well as valvuloplasty and coarctoplasty. These catheter-based procedures may be considered for selected congenital heart conditions following specialist assessment.
She also provides fetal echocardiography and counselling for expectant parents when a fetal heart abnormality is suspected. Her clinical responsibilities include post-operative care for children who have undergone cardiac surgery, supporting monitoring, recovery and continued cardiac follow-up.
Dr. Kavya Mallikarjun is associated with professional organisations including the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Paediatric Cardiac Society of India, Indian Medical Association, Cardiological Society of India and Indian Academy of Echocardiography. She has contributed to national and international medical publications. Her practice at Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, focuses on the specialised cardiac needs of children and their families.
Paediatric cardiac evaluation focuses on identifying heart conditions in newborns, infants, children and adolescents. Assessment may include medical history, physical examination, oxygen saturation measurements, electrocardiography and echocardiography. Dr. Kavya Mallikarjun's expertise in clinical paediatric cardiology supports the investigation of suspected congenital and acquired heart abnormalities.
Congenital heart disease refers to structural abnormalities of the heart present from birth. These may involve the heart chambers, valves or major blood vessels. Evaluation can include specialised echocardiography and other investigations to determine the type and severity of the condition and guide appropriate treatment or follow-up.
Paediatric echocardiography uses ultrasound to assess the structure, movement and blood flow of a child's heart. It helps investigate congenital heart defects, abnormal heart sounds and other cardiac concerns. This non-invasive investigation provides information that supports diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up in paediatric cardiology.
Transthoracic echocardiography is an ultrasound examination performed using a probe placed on the chest. It provides images of heart chambers, valves and blood flow. In children, TTE is commonly used to assess suspected congenital heart abnormalities and monitor previously diagnosed cardiac conditions without requiring an invasive procedure.
Transesophageal echocardiography uses an ultrasound probe introduced into the oesophagus to obtain detailed images of the heart. It may be recommended when additional information is needed beyond a standard chest echocardiogram. In children, the procedure requires appropriate preparation, monitoring and specialist assessment of its benefits and risks.
Fetal echocardiography is a specialised ultrasound examination used to evaluate the developing baby's heart during pregnancy. It may be recommended when routine prenatal scans suggest a cardiac abnormality or when certain pregnancy-related risk factors are present. The findings help guide counselling, delivery planning and postnatal cardiac assessment.
Fetal cardiac counselling helps expectant parents understand suspected or confirmed heart abnormalities detected before birth. Discussions may cover the diagnosis, expected monitoring, possible treatment after delivery and the need for specialised neonatal care. Recommendations depend on the type and severity of the fetal cardiac condition.
Diagnostic cardiac catheterisation involves passing a thin catheter through a blood vessel to assess heart structures, pressures and blood flow. It may be recommended for selected congenital heart conditions when detailed haemodynamic information is needed. The procedure requires specialist evaluation, monitoring and discussion of potential risks.
An atrial septal defect is an opening between the heart's upper chambers. In selected patients, an appropriately shaped defect may be closed using a catheter-delivered device rather than open-heart surgery. Suitability depends on the size, location and surrounding anatomy of the defect and the child's clinical condition.
Patent ductus arteriosus occurs when a blood vessel connection that normally closes after birth remains open. Depending on the child's age, symptoms and cardiac findings, treatment may involve monitoring, medicines or catheter-based closure. Device closure is considered when the anatomy and clinical circumstances are suitable.
A ventricular septal defect is an opening between the heart's lower chambers. Some defects close naturally, while others require treatment. Catheter-based device closure may be considered for selected defects with suitable anatomy. Decisions depend on defect characteristics, symptoms, heart function and specialist assessment.
Balloon valvuloplasty is a catheter-based procedure used to widen selected narrowed heart valves. A balloon is positioned across the affected valve and inflated to improve blood flow. It may be appropriate for certain congenital valve abnormalities, depending on the valve involved, severity of narrowing and individual cardiac findings.
Coarctoplasty is an interventional procedure used to widen a narrowed segment of the aorta in selected patients with coarctation of the aorta. Balloon dilation, sometimes with stenting in appropriate patients, may be considered. Treatment selection depends on age, anatomy, severity and the risk of complications.
Children who undergo cardiac surgery often need specialised follow-up to monitor heart function, recovery and possible complications. Post-operative paediatric cardiac care may include clinical examinations, echocardiography, medication review and coordination with the cardiac surgical team. Follow-up plans are tailored to the child's condition and procedure.
Children with congenital heart defects may require continued cardiac monitoring, even after treatment. Follow-up can involve assessing growth, symptoms, heart function and the results of previous interventions. The frequency of review depends on the diagnosis, treatment history and the risk of future cardiac complications.
MBBS, MD (Paediatrics), DNB (Paediatric Cardiology)
Clinical paediatric cardiology, congenital heart disease evaluation, paediatric echocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), fetal echocardiography, prenatal cardiac counselling, diagnostic cardiac catheterisation, atrial septal defect (ASD) device closure, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) device closure, ventricular septal defect (VSD) device closure, balloon valvuloplasty
Genuine patient experiences and treatment feedback.
Quick answers to common questions about Dr. Kavya Mallikarjun
Dr. Kavya Mallikarjun is a Consultant in Paediatric Cardiology at Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport Road, Bengaluru. She specialises in evaluating and managing heart conditions affecting infants, children and adolescents, including congenital heart abnormalities.
She holds MBBS, MD (Paediatrics) and DNB (Paediatric Cardiology), according to the official Manipal Hospitals profile. Her medical education includes training at JSS Medical College, Mysore, and Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore.
Her official hospital profile reports more than 18 years of experience. Some supplementary listings report different figures, so the hospital's 18+ years figure is preferred, subject to confirmation before publication.
Her expertise includes clinical paediatric cardiology, congenital heart abnormalities and conditions requiring specialised cardiac imaging or catheter-based intervention. Her official profile specifically lists ASD, PDA and VSD device closure among her interventional areas of expertise.
Yes. Fetal echocardiography and counselling are listed among her areas of expertise. This examination helps assess the developing baby's heart during pregnancy when a structural abnormality is suspected or additional cardiac evaluation is indicated.
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