Fetal Heart Assessment Using Three-dimensional Ultrasound

Cardiac anatomy is complex and often difficult to visualize or comprehend. 3D echocardiography is an area undergoing rapid development that represents a natural extension of conventional sonography methods which require integrating a series of 2D image slices to develop a 3D impression of underlying anatomy or pathology. This paper will review some of the basic concepts behind three-dimensional fetal echocardiography and describe some areas of clinical application. Among the many potential advantages of 3D fetal echocardiographic visualization compared to current real-time 2D ultrasound methods are improved visualization of normal and abnormal fetal cardiac structures, and evaluation of complex cardiac structures for which it is difficult to develop a 3D understanding. Reduced patient scanning times could increase the number of patients scanned, increasing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Standardization of ultrasound examination protocols could lead to uniform examinations decreasing health care costs. Ultimately the improved understanding of cardiac anatomy and function afforded by 3D fetal echocardiography will make it easier for primary care physicians to understand complex cardiac anatomy.