ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the basic method and clinical application of spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) in the routine scanning of normal fetal heart. Methods Totally 120 volume datasets of normal fetal heart were acquired with 2D and STIC, respectively. The difference in time between the two methods were compared and the basic imaging method was explored and analyzed.Results Satisfactory gray-scale volume acquisitions were accomplished in all 120 cases. The quality of the images derived from volume datasets were comparable to that directly obtained from 2D echocardiography. No significant difference of visualization rate was found between the two methods (P>0.05). Some views that could not be showed with 2D were acquired with STIC. In fetal heart screening, STIC (n=104) and routine ultrasonography (n=85) took (4.47±2.32) min and (5.26±2.01) min per case, respectively.Conclusion STIC provides more views and information than 2D, simplifies the picture-gathering process, decreases the dependence of examiner, increases the efficiency, and decreases the exposure upon fetal heart obviously.