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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Dynamic free-hand three-dimensional fetal echocardiography gated by cardiotocography
U Herberg1, H Goldberg, J Breuer
1Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Insights
Conventional cardiotocography (CTG) effectively triggers dynamic three-dimensional (3D) fetal echocardiography. This method enables detailed cardiac imaging, proving clinically feasible for evaluating fetal heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Fetal Cardiology
- Diagnostic Technology
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3D) fetal echocardiography offers advanced visualization of cardiac structures.
- Accurate cardiac cycle triggering is crucial for high-quality 3D fetal echocardiography.
- Conventional cardiotocography (CTG) monitors fetal heart rate and uterine contractions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical feasibility of using standard cardiotocography (CTG) as a signal source for triggering three-dimensional (3D) fetal echocardiography.
- To determine if CTG can reliably synchronize with the fetal cardiac cycle for dynamic 3D imaging.
Main Methods:
- Free-hand 3D echocardiography was performed on 25 fetuses (19-35 weeks gestation).
- Cardiotocography (CTG) was used concurrently for online time gating.
- Image quality and gating accuracy of grayscale, color Doppler 3D displays, and multiplanar views were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Successful CTG trigger signals were obtained in 24 out of 25 fetuses.
- Accurate cardiac gating was achieved in 91% of the 3D datasets.
- Four-dimensional color Doppler imaging of blood flow was possible in 94% of datasets, with improved visualization of cardiac morphology and blood flow dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Cardiotocography (CTG) is a clinically feasible online gating source for dynamic 3D fetal echocardiography.
- This technique enhances the visualization of fetal cardiac anatomy and blood flow.
- Optimized transducer positioning and imaging parameters can mitigate acoustic interference.
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical feasibility of conventional cardiotocography (CTG) as a cardiac cycle triggering signal for three-dimensional (3D) fetal echocardiography.
Method:
Free-hand 3D echocardiography was performed on a total of 25 fetuses with and without congenital heart disease at various gestational ages (mean, 29 weeks; range, 19-35 weeks). Simultaneously, online CTG was used for time gating. Gray-scale and color Doppler dynamic 3D displays, as well as multiplanar views, were assessed for their ability to depict the cardiac morphology and correct cardiac gating.
Results:
Valid CTG-based trigger signals could be obtained in 24 of the 25 fetuses. Correct cardiac gating was achieved in 101 of the 111 (91%) 3D datasets. Color Doppler imaging of blood flow in four dimensions was possible in 34 of 36 (94%) datasets. Reconstructed 3D and multiplanar views provided additional views not available in two-dimensional (2D) imaging. Acoustic interference between the CTG transducer and echotransducer could be reduced by the use of a high-frequency echotransducer, second-harmonic frequency imaging and appropriate positioning of the two transducers. Imaging quality was highly dependent on the quality of 2D images and random motion artifacts.
Conclusions:
CTG can be used as an online gating source for dynamic 3D fetal echocardiography.
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