Chapter 5

Fetal Echocardiographic Evaluation

Luciane Alves da Rocha and Edward Araujo Júnior

Abstract

Congenital heart diseases are more common than chromosomal abnormalities or neural tube defects. Although been one of the cause of mortality in infants, early diagnosis of heart defects increases survival. It is of utmost importance to perform adequate cardiac screening. The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology standardized the basic echocardiographic planes, in order to facilitate its use, increasing diagnosis. Therefore, in this chapter, we will discuss the anatomy and a systematized technical description of the fetal heart by two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography, emphasizing its indications, essential points for a good cardiac evaluation, and notions about some heart defects.

Total Pages: 69-84 (16)

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