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Normal fetal cardiac anatomy–a basis for the echocardiographic detection of abnormalities
Author(s) -
Allan Lindsey D.,
Tynan J Michael,
Campbell Stuart,
Anderson Robert H.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.1970010208
Subject(s) - medicine , abnormality , fetus , population , pregnancy , heart disease , incidence (geometry) , cardiac catheterization , fetal heart , cardiology , fetal echocardiography , radiology , prenatal diagnosis , genetics , physics , environmental health , psychiatry , optics , biology
Real‐time examination of the fetal heart in 350 pregnancies has allowed a composite picture of normal fetal cardiac anatomy to be established and echocardiographic interpretation has been confirmed by anatomical studies. Two echocardiographic sections are readily obtainable and are suggested as applicable to routine scanning but the specialist nature of interpreting abnormalities is stressed. Six abnormalities have been suspected during the study and five confirmed anatomically or at cardiac catheterization. In view of the low incidence of congenital heart disease in a normal obstetric population, high risk groups should perhaps be selected for cardiac scanning at the present time. These include mothers of previously affected babies, diabetic mothers and certain abnormalities of pregnancy. Fetal ascites is particularly important, being present in three of the four proven cases of cardiac abnormality.