In utero evaluation of fetal cardiac structure: a preliminary report.

Fetal echocardiography as a tool for the prenatal diagnosis of cardiac structural abnormalities was utilized in 27 consecutive patients who were referred for evaluation. Four abnormalities were recognized prenatally and confirmed postnatally. A fifth was identified postnatally. The sensitivity and specificity of this diagnostic test were 80% and 100%, respectively. The utilization of this tool in a tertiary care setting by an adequately trained team has proved to be helpful and is recommended.