Pediatric Cardiology

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 Children’s Hospital 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.

Ochsner Children's offers pediatric cardiology care to children in Louisiana and Mississippi, including in New Orleans, Covington, Slidell, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Alexandria, Shreveport, Monroe, Gulfport and Hattiesburg. Find a location near you.

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.

Ochsner Children’s Hospital in New Orleans offers an alternative to open-heart surgery for newborns with holes in their hearts. The device, the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder, is inserted into the baby’s leg through a catheter. The doctor places a device through the catheter tube that allows healing of a congenital heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA. Read about how Ochsner pediatric cardiologist Ivory Crittendon, MD, used the Piccolo device to treat twins who are thriving years after the procedure.

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

"Olivia has been able to address all of her complex medical issues at Ochsner Children's, where comprehensive medical care has been provided to her from day one. The doctors, nurses and therapists have all been amazing and have made such an impact on her life. I am forever grateful." - Shelley, mother of Olivia, a cardiology patient at Ochsner Children's

“In that office, we found not just medical care but a new family. Dr. Mouledoux, Dr. Megan, Jenna White, PA-C, Mia Lowe, PA-C, and nurse Tracie each made our journey lighter and happier. I always say that I no longer admire superheroes from movies, because we met a real-life hero in Dr. Peeler and his fantastic team.” - Rafaela, mother of Anna Liz, a pediatric cardiology patient at Ochsner Children's

“Dr. Dennis Wells saved our baby. He came in the day we got to the hospital and explained everything to us and what we needed to do. Every day after, he’d come and check on Rivers. It was just amazing.” - Candace, mother of Rivers, a pediatric cardiology patient at Ochsner Children's

Pediatric cardiology is a type of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart conditions in children.

A pediatric cardiologist is a doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating heart conditions in infants, children and adolescents.

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

During the appointment, the cardiologist will review your child’s medical history, perform a physical exam, and likely conduct tests like an echocardiogram, ECG (electrocardiography) or chest X-rays. The doctor will explain findings and create a treatment plan if necessary.

Pediatric cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating children with heart conditions, including congenital heart defects, heart rhythm disorders and acquired heart diseases. Early detection and treatment are important and lead to better long-term outcomes. Specialists may perform non-invasive tests (like echocardiograms) or provide more in-depth treatment or surgical options to help your child with their heart disorder.

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

In most cases, a pediatric heart problem will not impact fertility. The majority of young girls with heart problems will be able to safely carry a pregnancy later in life.

No, cath lab is not considered surgery, because it's minimally invasive and does not require a large incision.