Prenatal cardiac care: Goals, priorities & gaps in knowledge in fetal cardiovascular disease: Perspectives of the Fetal Heart Society

Abstract

Perinatal cardiovascular care has evolved considerably to become its own multidisciplinary field of care. Despite advancements, there remain significant gaps in providing optimal care for the fetus, child, mother, and family. Continued advancement in detection and diagnosis, perinatal care and delivery planning, and prediction and improvement of morbidity and mortality for fetuses affected by cardiac conditions such as heart defects or functional or rhythm disturbances requires collaboration between the multiple types of specialists and providers. The Fetal Heart Society was created to formalize and support collaboration between individuals, stakeholders, and institutions. This article summarizes the challenges faced to create the infrastructure for advancement of the field and the measures the FHS is undertaking to overcome the barriers to support progress in the field of perinatal cardiac care.

Keywords: Congenital heart disease; Fetal echocardiography; Fetal therapy; Multidisciplinary collaboration; Perinatal cardiology; Prenatal cardiology.

Fig. 1

Distribution of Fetal Heart Society (FHS) members by field and specialty of practice. MFM – Maternal fetal medicine specialist.

Fig. 2

Fetal Heart Society (FHS) Pillars. The three pillars of Research, Education, and Advocacy are central to achieving the FHS missions.

Fig. 3

The Fetal Heart Society (FHS) research review process. The research review process is overseen by the Research Collaborative Committee (RCC). The process steps include submission of a concept proposal, review by the RCC, convening of a collaborative study group from FHS members, preparation and submission of a full proposal responsive to RCC feedback with the study group and upon approval, working with the FHS Data Coordinating Center (DCC) on the preparation of regulatory documents and database creation.