Is a Fetal Echocardiography Necessary in IVF-ICSI Pregnancies After Anatomic Survey?

In vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) is generally regarded as an indication for fetal echocardiography due to a reported increased risk of congenital abnormalities including cardiac anomalies. In this study we evaluated the utility of fetal echocardiography after anatomic survey in an experienced center.

This was a retrospective case review of in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection pregnancies who had echocardiography in our institution from January 1996 to October 2010.

Records from 85 mothers and 110 fetuses were identified. During anatomic survey, six cardiac anomalies were identified, including four ventricular septal defects, one pulmonary-aortic disproportion, and one post-valvular pulmonary artery dilatation. At fetal echocardiography, two of the four ventricular septal defects were confirmed and an additional three were identified. The most common cardiac anomaly seen in our population of IVF-ICSI pregnancies was ventricular septal defect, which was identified in 3.6% of all cases in the neonatal period. Of ventricular septal defects identified in the prenatal period, 71% resolved before birth.

In experienced centers, a fetal echocardiography may not be necessary if the 3 vessels tracheal view of the heart is evaluated and the heart is evaluated carefully for a ventricular septal defect.