Fetal diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease.
Fetal echocardiography has had a significant impact on the diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease. Although the fetal circulation is quite forgiving for many heart lesions, other flow abnormalities gravely affect fetal physiology. Serial studies have given us a window to observe the natural history of many lesions that progress during gestation. Although fetal cardiac surgery is not yet a viable alternative to neonatal repair, fetal intervention on noncardiac disorders has had limited success and the field is growing. Fetal diagnosis remains an integral part of the management of children with cardiac lesions.
Cohen
M S
MS
Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA. cohenm@email.chop.edu
D018450:Disease Progression; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*