IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 45 / Issue 2 / DOI: 10.12891/ceog3787.2018

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Original Research
The effectiveness of extended fetal echocardiography in evaluating fetal cardiac morphology
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1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suleymaniye Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sakarya University Research and Education Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey
3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, İstanbul Aydın University, Istanbul, Turkey
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2018, 45(2), 182–186; https://doi.org/10.12891/ceog3787.2018
Published: 10 April 2018
Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of fetal cardiac screening during routine 11-14 week scan. Materials and Methods: First and second trimester fetal cardiac scan was performed prospectively by sequential segmental analysis methodology in 114 fetuses within an unselected population. Fetal cardiac images were obtained by transabdominal or transvaginal approach at 11+6 – 15+2 gestational weeks at which CRL was between 52.1-98.8 mm and sections of four quadrants, three-vessel trachea, ascending aorta and aortic arch were visualized. Examination time was limited to 15 minutes. First trimester ultrasonographic views were also evaluated by another specialist in order to compare with second trimester cardiac scan and postpartum results. Results: Complete visualization rates were 100% (2/2), 50% (20/40), 35% (21/60), 55% (6/11), and 100% (1/1) for 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 weeks, respectively. It was found at 44% for all gestational weeks. When aortic arch view excluded complete visualization rate, it was calculated as 74%. Satisfactory visualization was possible in 94.7% (108/114), 89.4% (102/114), 89.4% (102/114), and 58.7% (67/114) of fetuses for four chamber, three-vessels and trachea, ascending aorta and aortic arch, respectively. There was no pathologic findings in the first trimester scanning, which was concordant with second trimester and postpartum period. Conclusions: It is possible to obtain standard echocardiographic images and to perform fetal cardiac scan during first trimester screening. It can be recommended as a screening method for high and low risk patients in experienced hands; however, the scan must definitely be repeated at second trimester in order to detect later lesions by keeping developmental course of many cardiac defects in mind.
Keywords
Extended fetal echocardiography
Transabdominal ultrasonography
First trimester
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