Obstetric Imaging: Fetal Diagnosis and Care

Interruption of the Aortic Arch

Introduction Interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) is an uncommon ductal-dependent congenital cardiovascular malformation. It is the most severe form of aortic coarctation (AoC). Disease Definition IAA is characterized by the lack of continuity between the ascending and descending aorta.…

Aortic Coarctation

Introduction Aortic coarctation (AoC) is a ductal-dependent heart anomaly characterized by a narrowing of the aorta. The presence of physiologic right-to-left shunts in the fetal circulation constitutes a challenge for prenatal diagnosis, making AoC one of the congenital heart diseases…

Aortic Stenosis and Aortic Atresia

Introduction Aortic stenosis (AS) affects 1.4 : 10,000 newborns. The spectrum of clinical manifestations varies widely according to the degree of valve stenosis. Disease Definition AS and aortic atresia encompass a group of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) characterized by left ventricular outflow…

Pulmonary Stenosis and Atresia

Introduction Pulmonary stenosis (PS) and pulmonary atresia (PA) with intact ventricular septum have a low incidence in the fetus. In PS, there is a narrowing of the right ventricular outflow tract, whereas PA is characterized by an absent ventriculoarterial connection.…

Ebstein Anomaly and Tricuspid Dysplasia

Introduction Ebstein anomaly (EA) and tricuspid dysplasia (TD) are congenital heart diseases (CHDs) affecting the tricuspid valve and consequently all of the right heart. Although these anomalies are two different entities from an anatomic point of view, they share many…

Tricuspid Atresia

Introduction Tricuspid atresia (TA) is a rare form of congenital heart disease (CHD) that usually involves severe hypoplasia of the right ventricle. Prenatal diagnosis of TA and associated intracardiac and extracardiac anomalies is possible with a high degree of accuracy.…

Atrioventricular Septal Defect

Introduction Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed congenital heart diseases (CHDs) during fetal life and affects 4% to 5% of newborns with a CHD. AVSDs have a strong association with Down syndrome and frequently occur…

Ventricular Septal Defect

Introduction Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease (CHD) in children and adults. VSD is present in 25% to 30% of newborns with a CHD. VSD can frequently occur in combination with other CHDs, as part…

Ultrasound of Normal Fetal Heart

Introduction Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common severe congenital malformations, affecting 0.8% to 1% of newborns. Approximately half of the CHDs are severe defects. The overall mortality of a CHD diagnosed prenatally ranges from 25% to 35%, and…