Fetal Cardiovascular Research

Dr. Hornberger’s research, in the past and present, focuses on elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms of structural, functional, and rhythm related fetal heart disease and investigating current standards in prenatal screening for fetal heart disease, the latter of which will ultimately lead to the development of strategies to improve prenatal detection rates. Specific on-going research includes:

1. Development of animal models of fetal heart failure with correlation of invasive and noninvasive measures of fetal heart function, and development of invasive and less invasive therapies in the treatment of affected pregnancies.
   
   
2. Investigation into the pathogenesis of the cardiovascular pathology in twin-twin transfusion recipient twins specifically focusing on the role of circulating vasoctive peptides and mitogens including endothelin-1.
   
   
3. Development of simpler methods of screening for fetal heart disease which ultimately may include factors identified in maternal serum.
   
   
4. Evaluating the role of first trimester fetal echocardiography in the assessment of pregnancies at risk for fetal heart disease including those with increased fetal nuchal translucency and maternal diabetes.
   
   
5. Evaluating the role of 3 and 4-dimensional fetal echocardiography.