title: [Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease by echocardiography in Matanzas Province, Cuba, from 1990 to 1995].
abstract: We analyze the intra-uterine diagnoses of congenital cardiopathies performed by means of fetal echocardiographies from 1990 to 1995 in Matanzas, Cuba. All patients were examined in search of risk factors and indicators; 39 complex cardiopathies were detected, the most frequent ones were univentricular heart, hypoplasia of the left ventricle, and pulmonary atresia. Significant references were an abnormal image of the four cavities and the associated fetal anomalies; 66% of the malformations were diagnosed before week 24 of gestation. It was observed that the group of patients not diagnosed prenatally had a significant perinatal mortality. Although 32% of the newborns' complex cardiopathies in that period were diagnosed prenatally, it is necessary to improve this result aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality due to these anomalies, offering the best survival conditions at the time of birth.
authors.affiliation: Cardiólogo Pediatra, Hospital Municipal del Niño, Durango, Dgo, Clínica de Especialidades AMCCI.
authors.forename: Antonio E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: González Font
authors.forename: Francisco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Carrete Ramírez
authors.forename: Diana R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: González Fernández
mesh_terms: D003462:Cuba; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*