[Fetal heart. Present investigative means]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Fetal Medicine

Context:

• Non-invasive fetal heart examination is crucial for understanding fetal development and health.
• Advances in high-resolution echography and pulsed Doppler have significantly improved diagnostic capabilities.

Purpose:

• To outline the key areas of interest in fetal heart investigation: hemodynamics, cardiac function, and congenital heart disease.
• To provide fundamental knowledge for ultrasonic fetal echocardiography, including embryogenesis and fetal circulation physiology.
• To detail the etiology of congenital heart disease, encompassing chromosomal, genetic, and environmental factors.

Summary:

• High-resolution echography combined with pulsed Doppler allows for detailed non-invasive fetal heart exploration.
• Diagnosis of congenital heart disease relies on morphologic scanning, with specific scan orientations provided.
• Fetal heart function assessment is an evolving field, with pulsed Doppler offering new parameters for identifying fetal jeopardy.

Impact:

• Enhanced understanding of fetal hemodynamics and cardiac function.
• Improved early detection and diagnosis of congenital heart disease in fetuses.
• Development of new parameters for recognizing fetal distress and jeopardy, guiding clinical decisions.