Technique of fetal echocardiography

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Fetal medicine
• Cardiology

Background:

• Congenital heart disease (CHD) represents the most frequent abnormality in human fetuses.
• Fetal echocardiography is a primary screening tool for identifying cardiac defects.
• Routine fetal evaluation now incorporates echocardiography for cardiac assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present standard ultrasonographic views of the normal fetal heart in the second trimester.
• To outline first-trimester fetal echocardiography findings.
• To introduce a modified myocardial performance index for enhanced fetal cardiac assessment.

Main Methods:

• Standard ultrasonographic views acquisition during the second trimester.
• Documentation of first-trimester fetal echocardiography findings.
• Application and description of a modified myocardial performance index.

Main Results:

• Detailed presentation of standard normal fetal heart ultrasonographic views.
• Summary of key findings from first-trimester fetal echocardiography.
• Description of the methodology for a modified myocardial performance index.

Conclusions:

• Standardized views and early detection methods are essential for diagnosing fetal heart abnormalities.
• The modified myocardial performance index offers a potential advancement in assessing fetal cardiac function.
• Fetal echocardiography remains a cornerstone in the routine screening and evaluation of fetal well-being.