Simplifying ultrasound assessment of the fetal heart: Incorporating the complete Three Vessel View into routine screening

• Published in: Australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 168 - 175
• Main Author: Mogra, Ritu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-11-2013; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: cardiac defects; fetal echocardiography; prenatal diagnosis; Review; Reviews; ultrasound; cardiac defects; fetal echocardiography; prenatal diagnosis; ultrasound
• ISSN: 1836-6864; 2205-0140; 1836-6864
• DOI: 10.1002/j.2205-0140.2013.tb00243.x

Introduction: As our experience and ultrasound resolution have improved significantly in last 30 years it is possible to detect most of the major cardiac abnormalities prenatally with high degree of accuracy.
Method: Current screening techniques have poor detection rate for congenital heart diseases (CHD) and nearly half of the major cardiac abnormalities mainly of Great Arteries goes unrecognised. A high detection rate for major CHDs can be achieved in a screening setting by improving techniques of routine screening in the low risk population.
Conclusion: This article summarises the alternative strategies to examine the outflow tracts and Great Arteries, its correct interpretation and examples of abnormal views.