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Related Experiment Videos

Normal fetal heart axis and position.

C H Comstock

    Obstetrics and Gynecology
    |August 1, 1987
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Fetal heart position and axis are constant throughout pregnancy. Abnormalities in fetal heart axis or position detected via ultrasound indicate serious conditions and require further investigation, impacting fetal outcomes.

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    Area of Science:

    • Prenatal diagnosis
    • Fetal cardiology
    • Medical imaging

    Background:

    • Cardiac position and axis are critical indicators of fetal well-being.
    • Establishing normal ranges for fetal heart position and axis is essential for accurate diagnosis.
    • Previous studies have highlighted the importance of these parameters in predicting adverse outcomes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To define the normal range for fetal cardiac position and axis using ultrasound.
    • To investigate the correlation between abnormal fetal cardiac position/axis and fetal outcomes.
    • To provide guidelines for further investigation based on these findings.

    Main Methods:

    • Ultrasound evaluation of cardiac position and axis in 183 normal fetuses.
    • Measurement of the angle of the cardiac axis relative to an anteroposterior line.

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  • Definition of the normal position of the posterior heart portion.
  • Analysis of outcomes in cases with deviated cardiac axis or position.

    • Main Results:

    • Fetal cardiac position and axis remain constant throughout gestation.
    • The normal fetal cardiac axis ranges from 22-75 degrees left of the anteroposterior line.
    • Abnormal cardiac axis was associated with 50% mortality; abnormal position with 81% mortality.
    • Deviation in position suggests intrathoracic masses, while abnormal axis warrants fetal echocardiography.

    Conclusions:

    • Fetal cardiac axis and position are reliable sonographic markers.
    • Abnormalities necessitate prompt and targeted investigations.
    • These easily evaluated parameters significantly aid in risk assessment and management of fetal cardiac anomalies.