Fetal echocardiography successfully diagnosed congenital cardiac malformations and dysrhythmias in utero among 180 fetuses of high-risk pregnancies, assisting in parental counseling and management.
Observational (n=180)
Can fetal echocardiography accurately evaluate cardiac structure and rhythm to diagnose congenital heart disease and dysrhythmias in utero?
Fetal echocardiography is a feasible and effective imaging modality for the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects and arrhythmias, which assists in parental counseling and postnatal management planning.
During obstetrical ultrasound examinations, 200 M-mode and 35 real-time two-dimensional echocardiographic studies were performed on 180 fetuses of high-risk pregnancies. Fetal gestational ages ranged from 18 to 41 weeks. M-mode "sweeps" demonstrating mitral- and septal-aortic fibrous continuity were obtained in 115 studies. Paradoxic septal motion in 50 fetuses suggested relarive right ventricular volume loading. Congenital cardiac malformations were accurately diagnosed in a 34-week fetus with pulmonary atresia and hypoplastic right ventricle and in a 28-week fetus with a univentricular heart. Congenital complete atrioventricular block was diagnosed in a 28-week fetus and atrial flutter with variable atrioventricular block was diagnosed in a 38-week fetus. The use of echocardiographic studies to evaluate cardiac structure and rhythm in utero assists in counseling prospective parents and in planning postnatal management for their offspring.
Kleinman et al. (Sun,) conducted a observational in High-risk pregnancies (n=180). Fetal echocardiography (M-mode and two-dimensional) was evaluated on Diagnosis of congenital cardiac malformations and dysrhythmias. Fetal echocardiography successfully diagnosed congenital cardiac malformations and dysrhythmias in utero among 180 fetuses of high-risk pregnancies, assisting in parental counseling and management.