Fetal Cardiology

Yale Medicine pediatric cardiologists care for babies in the womb who may be at risk for or are affected by congenital heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms. This special team will help identify causes of the condition and appropriate treatments for your baby. As part of the Children’s Heart Center and Fetal Care Center, they along with other top Yale Medicine experts create a complete care plan for developing babies who are referred to us for further diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition. 

Conditions we treat

• Aortic stenosis
• Arrhythmia
• Atrial septal defect
• Atrioventricular septal defect
• Cardiomyopathy
• Coarctation
• Pulmonic stenosis
• Single ventricle lesions, including HLHS
• Tetralogy of fallot
• Transposition of the great arteries
• Truncus arteriosus
• Ventricular septal defects
• Other complex congenital heart disease lesions

What to Expect at an Initial Appointment

During an initial appointment, a fetal echocardiogram (a safe, noninvasive ultrasound) is performed to evaluate the baby’s heart. This test can last up to one hour and is performed by a fetal cardiologist or sonographer with extensive training in fetal cardiology. Immediately following the ultrasound, the patient and family member will have a consultation with a fetal cardiologist.

It can be helpful to bring the following to your appointment:

• A list of any relatives with congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy or abnormal heart rhythms
• A list of any questions you would like to review with the doctor
• A relative or friend may be helpful to have with you to write things down and ask questions since a lot of information is provided there is a lot of new information.

During this consultation, the fetal cardiologist will:

• Explain any abnormalities or concerns identified on the ultrasound
• Review the implications of the diagnosis for the remainder of the pregnancy and following birth
• Counsel on all available treatment options

You and your family members will have ample opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns.

Following the initial appointment

After the visit, the care team helps schedule any follow-up appointments that are required. The team also communicates with the primary obstetrician and providers within the Fetal Care Center to coordinate any specialized care that may be required for the duration of the pregnancy.