Ultrasonic evaluation of the fetal heart. A report of experience and anatomic correlation

Identification of fetal intracardiac structures in utero is accomplished with B-scan, gray-scale ultrasonography. Sagittal and transverse ultrasonographs of the interventricular septum, aortic root, tricuspid, and mitral valves are presented. These structures are characterized with respect to their relations to each other, atrial and ventricular chambers, and acoustic appearances. Correlation of these cardiac structures is made with gross anatomic fetal specimens sectioned in longitudinal and transverse planes. Recognition of fetal intracardiac detail may be of aid in future noninvasive investigations of human fetal cardiovascular dynamics.