Echocardiographic evaluation of fetal heart in first trimester 11-14+6 weeks / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo evaluate the probability of the fetal heart scanning in first trimester(11 -14+6 week) by transabdominal ultrasonography.MethodsBy using advanced ultrasound machine with high resolution transabdominal probe,249 fetal hearts were scanned.Four chamber view,left and right outflow view,three vessels view were obtained.The successful observation rates of these views under different gestational age were recorded.For 18 pregnant women with suboptimal transabdominal scanning condition,transvaginal scan were supplemented.ResultsAmong 249 singleton fetuses with low risk of congenital heart disease,four chamber view was successfully visualized in 227 (91.2％),left outflow view in 125(50.2％),right outflow view in 102(40.9％),three vessels view in 98(39.4％).The successful observation rate of these four views increased with gestational ages.The successful observation rate of each view in successive gestational age showed remarkable difference (P ＜ 0.05).The four chamber view had the highest successful observation rate with 95％ after 12 weeks.After 13 weeks,left and right outflow views visualizing rate was above 85％.Transvaginal scanning can increase the four chamber view successful observation rate.For observation of other views,transvaginal scanning,however,showed no superior than transabdomial scanning.ConclusionsHigh resolution transabdominal probe can be used to perform the fetal hearts scanning in early trimester.It will benefit to find the fetal heart malformation.