[3D-sonography as "2D-M-mode sonography in fetal echocardiography]

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Fetal Cardiology
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• M-mode sonography is crucial for detecting fetal heart abnormalities but faces challenges due to fetal positioning.
• Optimal fetal heart positioning for M-mode echocardiography can prevent valve plane visualization.
• Existing methods struggle with the variability of fetal presentation during prenatal examinations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and evaluate a 3D-ultrasound technique for fetal echocardiography.
• To overcome the limitations of M-mode sonography in prenatal cardiac examinations.
• To enable reliable visualization of fetal heart structures regardless of fetal position.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 3D-ultrasound system with a "free-hand-mode" to create 2D time-tissue blocks.
• Developed a technique for M-mode echocardiography independent of fetal heart position.
• Enabled simultaneous measurement of myocardial movement across multiple planes.

Main Results:

• Successfully applied and evaluated the 3D-ultrasound technique in pregnancies between 28 and 40 weeks.
• Achieved reliable imaging of atrioventricular (AV) valves and the aortic valve in 73% of examinations.
• Demonstrated the capability to select specific time planes for detailed analysis of cardiac motion.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D-ultrasound technique offers a viable solution for challenging fetal echocardiographic examinations.
• This method enhances the ability to diagnose fetal heart conditions by providing consistent, position-independent imaging.
• The technique shows promise for improving the accuracy and reliability of prenatal cardiac assessments.