Clinical Efficacy of Selective Fetal Echocardiography

Hong, Su Young; Ban, Ji Eun; Lee, Young Seok; Lee, Hyoung Doo

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aims of this study was to assess the indication, diagnostic, accuracy and prognostic influence of fetal echocardiography.
METHODS
From 1995 to 1999, 283 pregnancies were evaluated with fetal echocardiography at Dong-A University Hospital. We reviewed medical records included indication, fetal echocardiographic findings, postnatal echocardiographic findings, methods of treatment and outcome of prenataly diagnosed patients.
RESULTS
Family history of congenital heart disease led to 32.2% of all fetal echocardiography with a detection rate of 2.1%. The most important indication of fetal echocardiography was suspected heart anomaly on a screening obstetric ultrasonography yield(detection rate : 61.7%). Nearly all forms of congenital heart disease were detected in utero. However several forms of structural congenital heart disease such as ventricular septal defect and anomalous pulmonary venous return were difficult to diagnosis in utero. In 13 fetuses arrhythmias were detected; the most common arrhythmia was premature atrial contraction. Improving the outcomes of patients with prenatal diagnosis are so far controversial because of the small number of cases and increased termination rates of fetuses with congenital heart disease.
CONCLUSION
Fetal echocardiography has emerged as a reliable tool for prenatal detection of congenital heart disease and arrhythmia. But the effect of prenatally detected congenital heart disease on the management and the outcome of pregnancy can be controversial and legal problems may be important issues in the future.