Fetal and neonatal cardiac assessment with Doppler

During recent years, Doppler ultrasound has become an instrument with which the fetal and neonatal cardiovascular system can be examined noninvasively. In fetuses with suspected cardiac anomalies, Doppler examinations can be used to complement two-dimensional and M-mode studies. Information derived from human fetal intracardiac studies has established that the human fetal heart is right-heart dominant, less compliant than the adult heart, and changes with advancing gestation. Much work remains to be performed to use this information to better manage ongoing pregnancies, and to optimize transition to neonatal life.