Arrhythmias in the Fetus
Introduction Disturbances of cardiac rhythm in the human fetus may come to clinical attention in a number of ways. First, an abnormally slow, fast, or irregular heart rate may be…
Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Key Echocardiographic Features • Monochorionic pregnancy with size discrepancy between twins. • For the smaller donor, heart function appears ostensibly normal with small ventricular cavity volumes and hyperdynamic systolic function….
Sacrococcygeal Teratoma
Key Echocardiographic Features • Look for signs of fetal hydrops such as pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, ascites, or scalp edema. • Assess heart size through cardiothoracic ratio measures. • Evaluate…
Anatomical and Functional Fetal Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: An Emerging Technology
Why Apply Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging to the Fetus: Is there a Need for Another Imaging Modality? Assessment of fetal cardiac anatomy and function is an important component of the…
Agenesis of the Ductus Venosus
Key Echocardiographic Features • Trace and identify the insertion of the umbilical vein into the fetus and follow its course to the heart. • Determine whether the umbilical vein connects…
Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation
Key Echocardiographic Features • Compression of the heart, with small cardiothoracic ratio. • Abnormal position of the heart within the chest. • Distortion of the inferior vena cava as it…
Fetal Cardiomyopathy
Key Echocardiographic Features • Investigate for heart size (cardiothoracic ratio). • Investigate systolic function, qualitative and quantitative (myocardial performance index, shortening fraction). • Look for evidence of pericardial effusion or…
Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation
Key Echocardiographic Features • Enlarged heart, but with relatively preserved systolic function. • No other obvious explanation as to why the heart is enlarged. • Both right and left side…
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Key Echocardiographic Features • Displacement of the cardiac position. • Small left ventricle cavity volume. • Assess mitral valve annulus and aortic annulus, which may be of normal size despite…
Abnormalities of the Ductus Arteriosus
Key Echocardiographic Features • Identify the presence, position, and location of the ductus arteriosus as originating from the confluence of the branch pulmonary arteries off of the main pulmonary artery…
