The Riley Heart Center offers comprehensive care for the most complex fetal heart conditions. Many of our pediatric cardiologists have specialized training in fetal echocardiogram and work closely with an expansive team to diagnosis and manage congenital heart defects in unborn babies. We provide diagnosis, counseling, and management of congenital heart defects with a team that includes obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, genetics, neonatology, and cardiothoracic surgery.
Fetal Cardiology Services
Fetal Cardiology Services
As a partner in the Fetal Center, our fetal cardiac specialists participate in multidisciplinary care conferences to build coordinated treatment plans for deliveries. Our goal is to develop a treatment plan that benefits both mother and fetus to obtain the most optimal outcomes. We also keep you informed every step of the way with clinical notes.
In addition, we provide support for neurodevelopmental conditions that occur because of a fetal diagnosis and offer a home monitoring program for follow-up care. Genetic testing and counseling also assess “why” congenital heart disease has occurred and helps with discussions about future risks of having a child with congenital heart disease.
If a complex cardiac diagnosis requires immediate intervention, the Maternity Tower at Riley Hospital for Children provides the highest level of care for both mother and baby with operating rooms that adjoin delivery rooms.
Specialized Programs
Riley Heart Center NICU
For neonates with congenital heart disease, Riley Children’s and the Riley Heart Center offer a best practice model built on shared management among cardiac intensivists, neonatologists, cardiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons. Riley Children’s is one of only two programs in the country that integrates complete neonatal care seamlessly with cardiac intensive care.
Home Monitoring
To decrease mortality for babies born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and other conditions, our home monitoring program assists babies with single ventricle physiology, transplant or ventricular assist devices, and cardiomyopathy or heart failure.
Through a novel, web-based iPad program, parents can track and record vital signs, enabling the cardiac medical team to evaluate information in real-time. Parents with questions can directly contact an on-call nurse 24/7. Riley Children's is the only children’s hospital in Indiana to offer this program that’s backed by extensive research.
Cardiovascular Genetics
With the only comprehensive cardiovascular genetics program in Indiana, the Riley Heart Center provides complete genetic evaluation of all family members, along with coordinated heart screenings.
This multidisciplinary program for aortic disease includes both clinical care and research in the wide spectrum of aortopathies in children and young adults. At Riley Children’s, every baby is evaluated by a physician medical geneticist and rapid whole-genome sequencing offers fast and accurate diagnosis of genetic diseases.
FAQs for Referring Providers
FAQs for Referring Providers
Anne G. Farrell, MD, pediatric cardiologist and specialist in fetal heart conditions, addresses some common questions from referring providers.
What is the referral pathway to fetal cardiology at Riley Children’s?
Dr. Farrell: If a fetal heart anomaly is suspected, referring providers can contact the Fetal Center to schedule an echocardiogram with one of our fetal cardiologists. From there, the patient will be scheduled for advanced imaging that includes fetal echo, MRI and detailed fetal anatomic ultrasound—all completed on the same day.
When heart care or surgical intervention is required after birth, what does Riley Children’s provide?
Dr. Farrell: We have the surgical capabilities to manage the full range of congenital heart conditions. Patients can stay within Riley Children’s for any care or treatment that’s required. That’s true for heart care, as well as other fetal conditions diagnosed during pregnancy. As a comprehensive children’s hospital—the only one in Indiana—we offer skilled specialists who can care for patients with complex fetal diagnoses.
How do Riley fetal cardiologists collaborate with referring providers?
Dr. Farrell: Our team is committed to working with referral partners and patients during every step of the process. Whenever possible, we partner with local OB and MFM providers on care plans that allow mothers to deliver at their home hospital. In most cases where there is a fetal cardiac diagnosis, the mother can deliver locally, under the care of her OB.
By the Numbers
By the Numbers
Echocardiograms
In 2023, our highly skilled team completed more than 2,700 fetal echocardiograms.
Locations
Our nationally ranked heart program provides fetal cardiology expertise at 8 locations across Indiana.
