Prenatal Counseling and Care for Single-Ventricle Heart Disease: One Center’s Model for Care

Abstract

Advances in prenatal imaging allow early detection of single-ventricle congenital heart disease, which may enhance prenatal care and maximize care options and decision making. Boston Children’s Hospital’s Advanced Fetal Care Center and fetal cardiology program provide prenatal counseling and care for single-ventricle congenital heart disease. Key points for optimal prenatal counseling and education include explanation of the diagnosis, delivery, the first surgery, cardiac neurodevelopmental issues, feeding and growth issues, quality of life and long-term care, family stressors, and fetal cardiac intervention. Such counseling and education help families make the difficult decisions required in this situation.