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A Review of Fetal Circulation and the Segmental Approach in Fetal Echocardiography

Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, c/o Dawn Sanchez, 2745 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 350, Plano, TX 75093, dsanchez{at}sdms.org

The incidence of congenital heart disease is generally estimated at 8 in 1000 live births. Fifty percent of these neonates will have "minor" defects—easily corrected with some intervention. The remainder will account for 30% of perinatal deaths and nearly 50% of lethal malformations in childhood. The purpose of this review is to outline essential guidelines for a thorough fetal echocardiogram and how it differs from the fetal cardiac imaging included as part of an obstetric sonographic examination. Specific values for both the anatomic and blood flow velocity measurements recommended are typically related to gestational age and method of acquisition. Multiple references exist in the literature that define these values.

Key Words: obstetrical fetal heart • fetal echocardiography • fetal circulation

References

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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by France, R. A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?