Four chamber view plus three-vessel and trachea view for a complete evaluation of the fetal heart during the second...

To test the efficacy of a recently introduced ultrasonic scanning plane (three vessel and trachea view -3VTV- plus color flow mapping -3VTVC) on a low-risk population for detection of congenital heart disease (CHD).

Antenatal clinic dealing with local low-risk population. All antenatal patients having a second trimester scan in a 1 year period. All patients had a 3VT plus 3VTC views added to routine four chamber view. Postnatal examinations were performed according to standard hospital protocol.

2847 patients were examined. The plane was achievable in all 23 fetuses with CHD detected, three false negative (aortic coarctation) and two false positive. Sensitivity of the examination was 88.5%, as high as more sophisticated and difficult targeted cardiac scanning. The extra time necessary to perform the test was minimal.

3VTV and 3VTCV were satisfactory used as imaging planes in a busy antenatal clinic in a low-risk population. They could be easily added to the four chamber view as routine screening for CHD and increase the detection rate to 90%.