Specialization

Fetal/Prenatal Eco-Cardiography

Fetal echocardiography is a test similar to an ultrasound. This exam allows your doctor to better see the structure and function of your unborn child’s heart. It’s typically done in the second trimester, between weeks 18 to 24.

The exam uses sound waves that “echo” off the structures of the fetus’s heart. A machine analyzes these sound waves and creates a picture, or echocardiogram, of their heart’s interior. This image provides information on how your baby’s heart formed and whether it’s working properly.

It also enables your doctor to see the blood flow through the fetus’s heart. This in-depth look allows your doctor to find any abnormalities in the baby’s blood flow or heartbeat.

When is fetal echocardiography used?

Not all pregnant women need a fetal echocardiogram. For most women, a basic ultrasound will show the development of all four chambers of their baby’s heart.

Your OB-GYN may recommend that you have this procedure done if previous tests weren’t conclusive or if they detected an abnormal heartbeat in the fetus.

You may also need this test if:

  • your unborn child is at risk for a heart abnormality or other disorder
  • you have a family history of heart disease
  • you’ve already given birth to a child with a heart condition
  • you’ve used drugs or alcohol during your pregnancy
  • you’ve taken certain medications or been exposed to medications that can cause heart defects, such as epilepsy drugs or prescription acne drugs
  • you have other medical conditions, like rubella, type 1 diabetes, lupus, or phenylketonuria

Some OB-GYNs perform this test. But usually an experienced ultrasound technician, or ultrasonographer, performs the test. A cardiologist who specializes in pediatric medicine will review the results.

Non-Invasive Cardiology

Non-invasive cardiology identifies heart problems without using any needles, fluids, or other instruments which are inserted into the body.

Non-invasive cardiologists utilize techniques such as:

  • Nuclear Cardiology : A non-invasive study of cardiovascular disorders by means of various types of imaging which may use radioactive elements.
  • Echocardiography : The usage of ultrasound waves to create images of the heart and surrounding structures in order to identify how well the heart pumps blood, infections, and structural abnormalities.
  • Cardiac Electrophysiology : Study and testing of the electrical currents which generate heartbeats.
  • Stress Tests : Stress testing usually involves exercise which is monitored by your cardiologist. These exercises provide your cardiologist information about how your heart performs under physical stress.
  • Heart monitors : Heart monitors may also be called a Holter monitor or cardiac event recorder. Heart monitors are essentially tape recorders for your heart’s electrical activity over a set amount of time.
  • CT scans : CT scans produce images which your cardiologist can examine for heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Once your specialist has identified risk factors or existing conditions, they may recommend medication and lifestyle changes to improve your heart’s health.

Interventional Cardiology

Interventional cardiology is a non-surgical option which uses a catheter – a small, flexible tube – to repair damaged or weakened vessels, narrowed arteries, or other affected parts of the heart structure.

Common conditions treated by interventional cardiology:

  • Coronary artery disease : A narrowing of the arteries which supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen.
  • Heart valve disease : Occurs when the valves which control blood flow into the heart’s chambers are not working correctly.
  • Peripheral vascular disease : Your heart can also be affected by clogged or hardened veins and arteries which are in other parts of your body.

Once your specialist has identified risk factors or existing conditions, they may recommend medication and lifestyle changes to improve your heart’s health.

Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease, or a congenital heart defect, is a heart abnormality present at birth. The problem can affect:

  • the heart walls
  • the heart valves
  • the blood vessels

There are numerous types of congenital heart defects. They can range from simple conditions that don’t cause symptoms to complex problems that cause severe, life-threatening symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source, there are currently 1 million adults and 1 million children in the United States living with congenital heart defects. Treatments and follow-up care for defects have improved drastically over the past few decades, so nearly all children with heart defects survive into adulthood. Some need continuous care for their heart defect throughout their lives. However, many go on to have active and productive lives despite their condition.

Types of Congenital Heart Disease

Though there are many different types of congenital heart defects, they can be divided into three main categories:

  • In heart valve defects, the valves inside the heart that direct blood flow may close up or leak. This interferes with the heart’s ability to pump blood correctly.
  • In heart wall defects, the natural walls that exist between the left and right sides and the upper and lower chambers of the heart may not develop correctly, causing blood to back up into the heart or to build up in places where it doesn’t belong. The defect puts pressure on the heart to work harder, which may result in high blood pressure.
  • In blood vessel defects, the arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart and back out to the body may not function correctly. This can reduce or block blood flow, leading to various health complications.