Fetal echocardiographic screening for congenital heart disease

During a 30-month period, 7,531 obstetrical ultrasound examinations were performed on 3,624 fetuses at a community hospital. All fetuses were evaluated for congenital heart disease and 16 complex defects were identified. Only two of the cardiac defects had predisposing clinical factors or an elevated serum alpha-fetal protein. Discovery of cardiac defects in-utero permitted referral of the patients to tertiary care facilities when delivery was desired. This allowed prompt therapy by a pediatric cardiologist or cardiothoracic surgeon, if necessary.