Implementation of a fetal cardiology comprehensive program at a moderate sized University Medical Center

The fetal cardiology program at the Children's Heart Center at Golisono Children's Hospital at Strong was developed to insure quality diagnosis of the fetus with congenital heart disease including hemodynamic assessment and evaluation of fetal arrhythmias. An additional aim was to improve delivery of care to the fetus and mother with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease with a particular emphasis on high quality surgical outcomes. This article addresses the development of this program at a moderate sized medical center. There was a particular emphasis on delivering high quality prenatal and postnatal care to the mother and fetus by developing a comprehensive program that includes pediatric cardiology, perinatology, and pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. This combined program can then deal with the mother and fetus with structural heart disease, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy and provide complete patient care to both. Here, we will review the method used to develop the fetal cardiology service at the Children's Heart Center at Strong, address the care of the mother and fetus before, during and after delivery, and specifically review how surgical cases are managed through the perinatal period. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.