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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
The 'spin' technique: a new method for examination of the fetal outflow tracts using three-dimensional ultrasound
G R DeVore1, B Polanco, M S Sklansky
1Fetal Diagnostic Center of Pasadena, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA. fetalecho@fetalecho.com
Insights
Three-dimensional (3D) multiplanar imaging simplifies prenatal screening for congenital heart defects by enabling easy visualization of fetal heart outflow tracts. This advanced technique aids in detecting cardiac malformations during routine examinations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Fetal Medicine
- Cardiology
Background:
- Prenatal detection of congenital heart defects is challenging.
- The four-chamber view is a primary screening image, but assessing outflow tracts is difficult with 2D imaging.
- Improved methods are needed to enhance the detection of fetal cardiac malformations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review a novel technique using three-dimensional (3D) multiplanar imaging for fetal heart outflow tract assessment.
- To demonstrate the utility of 3D multiplanar imaging in improving the detection of congenital heart defects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D multiplanar imaging, including static 3D and spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) techniques.
- Acquired 3D volume datasets of the fetal heart.
- Manipulated the 3D datasets along the x- and y-axes using standard reference views (four-chamber, five-chamber, three-vessel views).
Main Results:
- The technique allowed for easy identification of the main pulmonary artery, ductus arteriosus, aortic arch, and superior vena cava in normal fetuses.
- Rotation of the 3D volume dataset along the x- and y-axes facilitated vessel identification.
- The method proved useful in diagnosing conditions like d-transposition of the great vessels and evaluating outflow tracts in hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Conclusions:
- 3D multiplanar evaluation of the fetal heart is a simple yet effective technique for identifying outflow tracts.
- This method requires only rotation around the x- and y-axes from transverse imaging planes.
- It enhances the ability to screen for and evaluate fetal cardiac malformations.
Background And Objective:
The prenatal detection of congenital heart defects remains one of the most difficult challenges for the sonologist/sonographer when performing the second- or third-trimester screening examination. The four-chamber view has been used for a number of years as the primary screening image for detection of heart defects, but the inclusion of the right and left outflow tracts increases the detection of cardiac malformations. One of the difficulties, however, is obtaining and interpreting two-dimensional images of the outflow tracts. This paper reviews a new technique using three-dimensional (3D) multiplanar imaging that allows the examiner to identify the outflow tracts within a few minutes of acquiring the 3D volume dataset by rotating the volume dataset around the x- and y-axes.
Methods:
3D multiplanar imaging of the fetal heart using static 3D or spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) imaging allows the examiner to obtain a volume of data that can be manipulated along the x- and y-axes using reference points from the four-chamber view, five-chamber view, three-vessel view at the level of the bifurcation of the pulmonary arteries, and three-vessel view at the level of the transverse aortic arch and trachea.
Results:
The full length of the main pulmonary artery, ductus arteriosus, aortic arch and superior vena cava could be identified easily in the normal fetus by rotating the volume dataset along the x- and y-axes. The vessels were identified using the four-chamber view, the five-chamber view, and the two three-vessel views. The technique was useful in identification of d-transposition of the great vessels and evaluation of the outflow tracts in hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Conclusion:
3D multiplanar evaluation of the fetal heart allows the examiner to identify the outflow tracts using a simple technique that requires only rotation around x- and y-axes from reference images obtained in a transverse sweep through the fetal chest.
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