1. Fetal Echocardiography
Dr. Avisa Tabib
Pediatric Cardiologist
Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center

2. INDICATIONS Fetal : Abnormal screening obstetric ultrasound.
Extracardiac anomalies (omphalocele, duodenal atresia VACTERL,spina bifida )
Chromosomal abnormalities (trisomies, microdeletion)
Increased first – trimester nuchal translucency
Nonimmune hydrops
Tachyarrhythmias
Bradyarrhythmias

3. INDICATIONS Maternal: Diabetes Phenylketonuria
Teratogen exposure (lithium ,phenytoin, valproic acid
,carbamazepin,isotretinoin )
Viral infection during first-trimester

4. INDICATIONS Familial : Previous child with CHD
Paternal congenital heart defect
Tuberous sclerosis
Noonan syndrome
Velocardiofacial syndrome

5. Timing of Examination
Assessment of the central cardiovascular connection is electively performed from 18 weeks gestation onwards. How ever , major CHD can also be detected earlier , at 12_ 14 weeks , in high-risk cases

6. Ultrasound approach and scanning planes
Axial views
4-chamber view
3-vessel view
Oblique views
long axis of the LV
long axis of the RV
short axis of the RV
Sagittal views
cavo- atrial junction
aortic arch
ductal arch

7. 4 chamber view This presents an axial view of the fetal thorax.
Apical 4 chamber view : cardiac apex is directed towards the transducer and the interventricular septum is aligned with the insonating beam .
Transverse 4 chamber view: the interventricular septum is at 90 angle with the insonating beam .

9. The checklist of 4 chamber view
Two-third of the heart in the left hemithorax
The cardiac apex pointing to the left of the midline with a 45(+,-20) cardiac axis
At least two of the PVs draining to the left atrium
Two atria of similar size
The flap of the foramen ovale into the left atrium
Two separated atrioventricular valves
Two separated ventricles of similar size
Free right and left myocardial walls of similar thickness
An intact interventricular septum

10. Standard 4 chamber view

12. Cardiac Axis

13. 3-vessel view
This is an axial view of the upper mediastinum .The three vessels are (from right to left) , SVC , the Aorta , and the PA.

15. Long axis of left ventricle
This view is obtained by rotating the transducer slightly towards the right fetal shoulder .

16. Checklist : The presence of a vessel that connects with LV.
Septo-aortic continuity .
Semilunar valve with normal systo-diastolic excursion .
The presence of crossover.

17. Long axis of right ventricle
This view is obtained from the long axis of the LV by curving the transducer towards the fetal head .

19. Checklist : The presence of a vessel that connects with RV.
Semilunar valve with normal systo-diastolic excursion .
The presence of crossover.
The size of the vessel is similar or slightly larger than Aorta .

20. Short axis of the Right ventricle
To obtain this view from the 4-chamber view ,the transducer should perform a rotation mirroring that needed for the long axis of the LV.
Checklist:
Same as for the long axis of the RV.

21. Cavo-atrial junction
In this longitudinal view of the fetal thorax , both vanae cavas are seen entering the right atrium (seagull wings view)
Checklist:
Presence of both venae cavae .
Both venae cavae should have the same size.

22. Longitudinal view of the Aortic Arch
On this view the whole course of the Aorta from the left ventricle to the abdominal Aorta , is displayed. The aortic arch has regular diameter with 3 vessels of the head and neck .

23. Ductal arch view
Ductal arch takes a trajectory that is practically rectilinear , anteroposterior ,beginning in the retrosternal region with a ductal arch of an obtuse angle.

24. A FAST GLANCE :
Before going into the details of the examination we begin by taking a quick preliminary look round the entire area .
We move up wards perpendicular to the axis of the spine towards the cephalic pole , beginning from the transverse abdominal view ,and the pass to the 4 chamber view , and then beginning of the aorta and pulmonary trunk .
Continuing the movement , we see the horizontal portion of the aortic arch and 3 vessel view.