Simcha Yagel1, Sarah M Cohen, Baruch Messing. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Centers, Jerusalem, Israel. simcha.yagel@gmail.com
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review describes the recent advances in timing and effectiveness of first and early second trimester fetal echocardiography screening. RECENT FINDINGS: Fetal echocardiography can now be reliably performed from 11 weeks' gestation owing to improvements in ultrasound transducers and processors. Three-dimensional and four-dimensional ultrasound modalities in image acquisition and postprocessing analysis, including spatio-temporal image correlation, rendering three-dimensional power Doppler and high definition power flow Doppler, and B-flow have further improved our capabilities in this area. Fetal nuchal translucency measurement screening programs create a new population of at-risk pregnancies that will be referred for early fetal echocardiography. The majority of congenital heart defects, however, still occur in low-risk patients. Improved technology has lowered the gestational age at which fetal cardiac anatomy scanning can be reliably performed by properly trained and experienced examiners. SUMMARY: Early fetal echocardiography can be offered as a screening examination to at-risk and low-risk patients, with the proviso that it be repeated following screen-negative scans at mid-gestation to exclude later developing lesions.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review describes the recent advances in timing and effectiveness of first and early second trimester fetal echocardiography screening. RECENT FINDINGS: Fetal echocardiography can now be reliably performed from 11 weeks' gestation owing to improvements in ultrasound transducers and processors. Three-dimensional and four-dimensional ultrasound modalities in image acquisition and postprocessing analysis, including spatio-temporal image correlation, rendering three-dimensional power Doppler and high definition power flow Doppler, and B-flow have further improved our capabilities in this area. Fetal nuchal translucency measurement screening programs create a new population of at-risk pregnancies that will be referred for early fetal echocardiography. The majority of congenital heart defects, however, still occur in low-risk patients. Improved technology has lowered the gestational age at which fetal cardiac anatomy scanning can be reliably performed by properly trained and experienced examiners. SUMMARY: Early fetal echocardiography can be offered as a screening examination to at-risk and low-risk patients, with the proviso that it be repeated following screen-negative scans at mid-gestation to exclude later developing lesions.
Authors: Raquel García Delgado; Raquel García Rodríguez; Ismael Ortega Cárdenes; Jesús M González Martín; María De Luis Alvarado; Javier Segura González; Margarita Medina Castellano; Jose A García Hernández Journal: Reprod Sci Date: 2021-02-08 Impact factor: 3.060