[Fetal echocardiography in the 15th week of gestation].
A fast development of the ultrasound technology has enabled a very high resolution of images thus opening a possibility for better quality of images of all fetal structures including fetal heart. Transabdominal ultrasound examination of heart is commonly conducted after the 10th week when it is possible to get a quality image of all relevant heart structures using 3-5MHz probes. Having in mind that fetal heart is mostly formed by the end of the 14th week, an idea of a vaginal ultrasound examination in the 15th week using 5-9MHz probes has been a logical one. In that period the length of the fetus ranges from 9 to 10 centimeters, which is a basis for an assumption that a quality examination of the fatal heart may be conducted using the vaginal probe. This paper is showing all standard cross-sections of fetal heart (4 chambers, outflow tracts, cross-section of three great vessels and longitudinal view of aortic and ductal arches) obtained by vaginal examination in the 15th week and abdominal examination in the 20th and 22nd week. The transvaginal examination of fetal heart is possible in the 15th week and it is recommended to be done in all pregnant women with problematic personal and reproductive anamnesis and those with positive ultrasonographic markers for chromosomal defects.
Sluzba za ginekologiju i perinatologiju, Dom zdravlja u Tuzli. badem@bih.net.ba
Adem
A
Balić
Devleta
D
Balić
D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal