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F123Intracardiac echogenic focus: no apparent association with structural cardiac abnormality
Author(s) -
Wolman I.,
Diamant S.,
Gull I.,
Hartoov J.,
Fait G.,
Amster R.,
Lessing J.B.,
Jaffa A.J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2000.00015-1-122.x
Subject(s) - medicine , intracardiac injection , ventricle , fetus , pulmonic stenosis , bicuspid aortic valve , abnormality , cardiology , rhabdomyoma , prospective cohort study , pregnancy , stenosis , radiology , tuberous sclerosis , genetics , psychiatry , biology
Objective The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate whether intracardiac echogenic foci (ICEF) are related to impairment of ventricular performance. Study methods 3744 low risk patients were prospectively evaluated by the same ultrasonographer. ICEFs were defined as an hyperechogenicity located on the chordae tendinae. Fetuses with ICEFs underwent further echocardiographic evaluation. After birth, the neonates were referred for an additional echocardiographic evaluation only if a clinical suspicion of cardiac impairment arose. Fetuses with ICEFs were compared to a control group consisting of low‐risk fetuses, with no detectable ICEF, who underwent a similar echocardiographic evaluation. Results Of the 3744 patients in the study group, 138 fetuses (3.7%) presented with icefs. The majority of the ICEFs (78%) were located in the left ventricle. Eighteen percent were located in the right ventricle and 4% were bilateral. Of the 138 fetuses in this group, there was one case (0.7%) of pulmonic stenosis in a twin gestation. There was no other cardiac malformation or dysfunction in the other fetuses. Of the 167 fetuses in the control group, there was one case of fetal bicuspid aortic valve there was no statistical significance between the 2 groups. Conclusions We conclude that the finding of icefs is not correlated with cardiac dysfunction. However, these lesions should be carefully differentiated from rhabdomyoma or teratoma.