Echocardiographic Studies of the Human Fetus: Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease and Cardiac Dysrhythmias

TLDR

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. The study performed 200 M‑mode and 35 real‑time 2‑D echocardiographic examinations on 180 high‑risk fetuses between 18 and 41 weeks gestation. M‑mode sweeps were obtained in 115 studies, paradoxic septal motion was seen in 50 fetuses, and the technique accurately diagnosed pulmonary atresia with hypoplastic right ventricle, a univentricular heart, complete atrioventricular block, and atrial flutter with variable block in fetuses ranging from 28 to 38 weeks.

Abstract

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.