What makes Ochsner a leader in caring for children with heart problems? Several factors set us apart, including:

• Comprehensive care for the long term. We can care for patients for as long as they need us. Our fetal cardiologists care for babies with heart complications in the womb, and our services continue all the way up to adulthood with adult cardiovascular care and adult congenital heart disease care.

• Consistent excellence. Ochsner Hospital for Children regularly ranks among the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals for Cardiology & Heart Surgery. Our echocardiography lab is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, a marker of high-quality care.

• Convenience. Same-day and virtual appointments are available when appropriate.

• Full range of pediatric experts. Helping our patients achieve their healthiest, highest-functioning selves often means treating more than their hearts. That’s why our pediatric cardiologists collaborate with many other pediatric specialists and subspecialists, including pediatricians, child psychologists, pediatric radiologists and many more.

• Sophisticated research. Our experts are studying pediatric mechanical support — machines that do the work of the heart during heart failure — pediatric heart transplants and more to improve care for current and future patients.

• State-of-the-art facilities and equipment. One example is our high-tech pediatric exercise physiology lab, where an exercise physiologist conducts exercise stress tests to see how patients’ hearts respond to physical activity.

• Support for patients and families. Certified Child Life Specialists help calm patients’ anxiety about treatment. Pediatric palliative medicine specialists help ease symptoms and make patients comfortable. Social workers advocate for families and connect them with helpful resources.

• Unmatched pediatric heart transplant experience. We performed the Gulf South region’s first pediatric heart transplant. Our pediatric heart transplant program is the only one of its kind in Louisiana.

We offer pediatric cardiology services to serve Louisiana and Mississippi, including in New Orleans, Covington, Slidell, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Alexandria, Shreveport, Monroe, Gulfport and Hattiesburg. Find a location near you.

• Anna Barham, PA-C

• Jerry Batson, NP

• Ivory Crittendon, MD

• Les Hixon, MD

• Lauren Haddad, MD

• Jake Kleinmahon, MD

• Diego Lara, MD

• Katherine Lindle, MD

• Victor Lucas, MD

• Brandon Phillips, MD

• Jennifer Watson, NP

• Thomas Young, MD

• Terry King, MD

• Megan Lanier, PA

• Jessica Mouledoux, MD

• Hans Mudler, MD

• Kathryn Smiley, PA-C

• Michael White, MD

• Jenna White, PA

Some of the most common birth defects, congenital heart diseases are problems with the heart’s structure or function that are present at birth. Our pediatric cardiology team diagnoses and treats all types of congenital heart disease.

Additional children’s heart problems our team diagnoses and treats include:

• Acquired heart disease. Our experts care for patients with high blood pressure, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, deep vein thrombosis and more.

• Arrhythmias. Also known as heart rhythm disorders, these are problems with the heart’s electrical system, such as atrial fibrillation and long QT syndrome.

• Cardiac symptoms. Our pediatric cardiologists care for children experiencing symptoms potentially related to heart problems, such as heart murmurs and fast or slow heart rate.

• Heart function disorders. These conditions include cardiomyopathies (thick or stiff heart muscle) or inflammation of the heart muscle from infections or other disorders.

To provide the most appropriate care, pediatric cardiologists first have to identify the problem. That’s why we offer a wide range of advanced diagnostic services, including:

• 3D and 4D echocardiography — ultrasound testing to look at a child’s heart

• Cardiac CT and MRI

• Diagnostic cardiac catheterizations — minimally invasive tests using thin tubes called catheters, contrast dye and X-ray imaging to check for certain heart problems

• Electrocardiography — testing that records the heart’s electrical activity

• Electrophysiologic studies — tests to evaluate the heart’s electrical system and look for the source of an arrhythmia

• Exercise stress tests — View our pediatric patient informational booklet for details on how to prepare and what to expect during your child’s test.

• Fetal echocardiography — an ultrasound of an unborn baby’s heart

• Holter monitoring — a wearable device that records heart rhythms

• Home monitoring of pacemakers and defibrillators (implanted cardiac devices)

• Transesophageal echocardiography — testing in which the ultrasound probe goes down the patient’s esophagus

Once our experts make a diagnosis, they partner with other specialists to recommend the most appropriate form of treatment. Options include:

• Cardiac ablation — a procedure to destroy the source of an arrhythmia

• Cardiac surgery

• Defibrillators — devices that shock the heart to help it get back into rhythm

• Heart transplant

• Interventional cardiac catheterizations, including procedures to implant new heart valves

• Mechanical circulatory support devices — machines that help the heart pump blood

• Pacemakers

See your child’s pediatrician if your child experiences potentially heart-related symptoms, such as chest pain or palpitations. The pediatrician may refer your child to a pediatric cardiologist.

Yes, in most cases. Physical activity is beneficial for most patients, although some may need to avoid contact sports or heavy lifting.

Not in most cases. The majority of girls with heart problems will be able to safely carry a pregnancy later in life.