Sonographic detection of parallel great arteries in the fetus.
OBJECTIVE
Of all fetal malformations, those affecting the heart, particularly the great arteries, are most commonly overlooked during obstetric sonography. The appearance of normally related great arteries in the fetus is described. Abnormal parallel great artery orientation was detected on sonography in 24 fetuses over a 3-year period. This abnormality was most commonly due to double outlet right ventricle.


CONCLUSIONS
Examination of the cardiac outflow tracts during obstetric sonography can detect great artery malformations prenatally, allowing optimum perinatal management.
Allan
L D
LD
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Heart Center, Babies Hospital 2N, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
D001011:Aorta / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal