title: Sonographic differential diagnosis of fetal cardiac abnormalities.
abstract: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the fetal heart for structural and functional abnormalities is vital for prenatal diagnosis and perinatal management. Even more important than up-to-date diagnostic equipment is keen observation and an understanding of fetal cardiac abnormalities. One diagnostic approach begins with the four-chamber view with particular attention to the normal symmetric sizes of all four cardiac chambers. Ventricular disproportion, inequality in ventricular size, is often an easily detectable sign of a cardiovascular abnormality. Segmental diagnosis of cardiac and visceral situs, ventricular outflow tracts for conotruncal abnormalities and the aortic and ductal arches is also vital for diagnosing affected fetuses.
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia 19107.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Weil
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Huhta
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal