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Satisfactory Visualization Rates of Standard Cardiac Views at 18 to 22 Weeks’ Gestation Using Spatiotemporal Image Correlation

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois USA (L.C., K.M., W.A.G.); and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California USA (L.D.P.).

Address correspondence to Leeber Cohen, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Ultrasound, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 675 N Saint Clair, Suite 14-200, Chicago, IL 60611 USA. E-mail: lcohen{at}nmff.org

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency with which 3 standard screening views of the fetal heart (4-chamber, left ventricular outflow tract [LVOT], and right ventricular outflow tract [RVOT]) can be obtained satisfactorily with the spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) technique. Methods. A prospective study of 111 patients undergoing anatomic surveys at 18 to 22 weeks was performed. Two ultrasound machines with fetal cardiac settings were used. The best volume set that could be obtained from each patient during a 45-minute examination was graded by 2 sonologists with regard to whether the 4-chamber, LVOT, and RVOT images were satisfactory for screening. Results. All 3 views were judged satisfactory for screening in most patients: 1 sonologist graded the views as satisfactory in 70% of the patients, whereas the other found the views to be satisfactory in 83%. The position of the placenta did not alter the probability of achieving a satisfactory view, but a fetus in the spine anterior position was associated with a significantly lower probability that the views were regarded as satisfactory for screening (odds ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.09–0.70; P < .05). Conclusions. This study suggests that STIC may assist with screening for cardiac anomalies at 18 to 22 weeks’ gestation.

Key Words: congenital heart disease • prenatal diagnosis • spatiotemporal image correlation

Abbreviations: 4D, 4-dimensional • LVOT, left ventricular outflow tract • RVOT, right ventricular outflow tract • STIC, spatiotemporal image correlation • 3D, 3-dimensional