Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 15, Issue 1 25-32, Copyright © 1996 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Selection and identification of standard cardiac views from three-dimensional volume scans of the fetal thorax
N. Zosmer, D. Jurkovic, E. Jauniaux, K. Gruboeck, C. Lees and S. Campbell
Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, United Kingdom.
The feasibility of fetal echocardiographic examination using
three-dimensional ultrasonography was investigated in 54 healthy pregnant
women with uncomplicated pregnancies between 17 and 37 weeks of gestation.
In 46 cases (85.2%), good quality three-dimensional volumes of the fetal
heart were obtained from both apical and lateral four-chamber views. By
reslicing apical volumes, the reformatted sections of the long axis view of
the left ventricle and the aortic crest were seen in 40 (87%) and 38 (83%)
of 46 cases, respectively. The short axis was seen in 26 (57%) and ductal
arch in 30 (65%) cases. The examination of lateral volumes was much less
successful. The short axis was seen in 11 (24%) cases, and the aortic crest
in 22 (48%), whereas the analysis of the longitudinal views was not
possible. The best results were obtained at a gestational age between 22
and 27 weeks. Three-dimensional fetal echocardiography allowed the
examination of the four chambers of the heart and left outflow tract during
the late second trimester. The technique may become useful for the
screening and diagnosis of congenital cardiac defects in the future.