LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach has named Linda Pauliks, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist and expert in cardiac imaging, as medical director of pediatric and congenital cardiac imaging.

Dr. Pauliks specializes in non-invasive imaging to accurately diagnose and treat pediatric patients. Dr. Pauliks utilizes advanced diagnostic tools like magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), computed tomography (CTs) and echocardiograms, an ultrasound test that uses sound waves to create a picture of a child's heart. Dr. Pauliks also can perform fetal echocardiograms on unborn babies still in the womb.

"Cardiac imaging gives us the opportunity to diagnose heart patients non-invasively," says Dr. Pauliks. "Often because of it, we are able to avoid radiation or unnecessary cardiac procedures, making it easier on our patients."
In addition to diagnosis, Dr. Pauliks provides care for pediatric heart patients using non-invasive imaging devices like 24-hour Holter monitors, which continuously records the heart's rhythms within a 24-hour time period during normal activity. Electrodes are stuck to the chest and attached to a small recording monitor that records the heart's electrical activity to document any irregular heart rhythm. Non-invasive care like this helps patients avoid open heart surgery.

"Computers and imaging are becoming more advanced," explains Dr. Pauliks, who has a clinical interest in mechanical circulatory support (MCS), a device that helps the heart pump blood and is often used for patients with heart failure who are awaiting a donor transplant. "The new technology is gentle, yet sophisticated, and we've only just begun to see the full impact of digitalization of the imaging field."

Dr. Pauliks joins a team of board-certified specialists at the Pediatric Heart Center, one of only a handful of programs in Southern California to offer comprehensive congenital cardiac care to patients of all ages. The Center also has satellite centers in Torrance and Long Beach.

"We're incredibly excited to have Dr. Pauliks join the Pediatric Heart Center at Miller Children's," says Tamra Kaplan, Chief Operating Officer, Miller Children's. "Her expertise in congenital cardiac imaging, especially non-invasive imaging, is an asset to our team and will help further advance the care of children and young adults with congenital heart disease."

"I've joined the right team at the perfect time, just as Miller Children's is expanding its Pediatric Heart Center," says Dr. Pauliks. "I'm excited to help build a great program with such an advanced team."

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