Echocardiographic techniques for assessing normal and abnormal fetal cardiac anatomy. 1985

N H Silverman, and M S Golbus

Diagnostic quality images of the fetal heart in utero can be obtained as early as 18 to 20 weeks of gestation. The cardiac structures can be imaged primarily by cross-sectional echocardiography and augmented by a combination of simultaneous M-mode echocardiography and range-gated pulsed Doppler ultrasonography. Cross-sectional images from planes through the fetal heart equivalent to planes that can be obtained after birth can be generated in utero. In a study of 168 pregnancies, 10 structural cardiac abnormalities have been defined. These abnormalities and others that have been reported indicate the potential for in utero cardiac diagnosis. The recognition of structural congenital heart disease in utero has been helpful in genetic counseling, planning the method of labor and delivery and making decisions regarding termination of pregnancy and planning postnatal care. Fetal echocardiography offers the potential to change the pattern of health care delivery to those with suspected congenital heart disease.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011296 Prenatal Diagnosis Determination of the nature of a pathological condition or disease in the postimplantation EMBRYO; FETUS; or pregnant female before birth. Diagnosis, Prenatal,Fetal Diagnosis,Fetal Imaging,Fetal Screening,Intrauterine Diagnosis,Antenatal Diagnosis,Antenatal Screening,Diagnosis, Antenatal,Diagnosis, Intrauterine,Prenatal Screening,Antenatal Diagnoses,Antenatal Screenings,Diagnosis, Fetal,Fetal Diagnoses,Fetal Imagings,Fetal Screenings,Imaging, Fetal,Intrauterine Diagnoses,Prenatal Diagnoses,Prenatal Screenings,Screening, Antenatal,Screening, Fetal,Screening, Prenatal
D004452 Echocardiography Ultrasonic recording of the size, motion, and composition of the heart and surrounding tissues. The standard approach is transthoracic. Echocardiography, Contrast,Echocardiography, Cross-Sectional,Echocardiography, M-Mode,Echocardiography, Transthoracic,Echocardiography, Two-Dimensional,Transthoracic Echocardiography,2-D Echocardiography,2D Echocardiography,Contrast Echocardiography,Cross-Sectional Echocardiography,Echocardiography, 2-D,Echocardiography, 2D,M-Mode Echocardiography,Two-Dimensional Echocardiography,2 D Echocardiography,Cross Sectional Echocardiography,Echocardiography, 2 D,Echocardiography, Cross Sectional,Echocardiography, M Mode,Echocardiography, Two Dimensional,M Mode Echocardiography,Two Dimensional Echocardiography
D005260 Female Females
D005865 Gestational Age The age of the conceptus, beginning from the time of FERTILIZATION. In clinical obstetrics, the gestational age is often estimated from the onset of the last MENSTRUATION which is about 2 weeks before OVULATION and fertilization. It is also estimated to begin from fertilization, estrus, coitus, or artificial insemination. Embryologic Age,Fetal Maturity, Chronologic,Chronologic Fetal Maturity,Fetal Age,Maturity, Chronologic Fetal,Age, Embryologic,Age, Fetal,Age, Gestational,Ages, Embryologic,Ages, Fetal,Ages, Gestational,Embryologic Ages,Fetal Ages,Gestational Ages
D006321 Heart The hollow, muscular organ that maintains the circulation of the blood. Hearts
D006330 Heart Defects, Congenital Developmental abnormalities involving structures of the heart. These defects are present at birth but may be discovered later in life. Congenital Heart Disease,Heart Abnormalities,Abnormality, Heart,Congenital Heart Defect,Congenital Heart Defects,Defects, Congenital Heart,Heart Defect, Congenital,Heart, Malformation Of,Congenital Heart Diseases,Defect, Congenital Heart,Disease, Congenital Heart,Heart Abnormality,Heart Disease, Congenital,Malformation Of Heart,Malformation Of Hearts
D006343 Heart Septal Defects Abnormalities in any part of the HEART SEPTUM resulting in abnormal communication between the left and the right chambers of the heart. The abnormal blood flow inside the heart may be caused by defects in the ATRIAL SEPTUM, the VENTRICULAR SEPTUM, or both. Cardiac Septal Defect,Heart Septal Defect,Cardiac Septal Defects,Defect, Cardiac Septal,Defect, Heart Septal,Defects, Cardiac Septal,Defects, Heart Septal,Septal Defect, Cardiac,Septal Defect, Heart,Septal Defects, Cardiac,Septal Defects, Heart
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006831 Polyhydramnios A condition of abnormally high AMNIOTIC FLUID volume, such as greater than 2,000 ml in the LAST TRIMESTER and usually diagnosed by ultrasonographic criteria (AMNIOTIC FLUID INDEX). It is associated with maternal DIABETES MELLITUS; MULTIPLE PREGNANCY; CHROMOSOMAL DISORDERS; and congenital abnormalities. Hydramnios

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