Marcio Fragoso Vieira^1,2, Nathalie Jeanne Bravo-Valenzuela³, Edward Araujo Júnior^1,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.19, No.3, pp. 305-314, 2024, DOI:10.32604/chd.2024.053484

Abstract Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect, representing a significant cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of such anomalies is crucial for improving outcomes. Current protocols recommend a qualitative assessment of cardiac structures using two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) and color Doppler imaging. In cases of suspected abnormalities, quantitative assessments through cardiac structure measurements and reference curves can aid in accurate diagnosis. Similar to centiles widely employed in obstetrics, Z-scores provide more precise quantification of various cardiac structures, particularly at the extremes of the curve. While the development of reference More >

Mohd Nizam Mat Bah^*, Mohd Hanafi Sapian, Hasliza Razak, Emieliyuza Yusnita Alias

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.15, No.4, pp. 203-216, 2020, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.013057

Abstract Introduction: Fetal echocardiogram allows early detection of critical congenital heart disease leading to a better outcome. However, data from lowerand middle-income countries is scarce. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic error of fetal echocardiography and its impact on planned neonatal management. Methods and material: This retrospective observational cohort study includes all high-risk pregnant mothers who had fetal echocardiograms from 2008 to 2017. Fetal and postnatal echocardiograms were compared, while the diagnostic errors were categorized into false positive, false negative, and discrepant diagnoses. The impact of the diagnostic error on planned neonatal management and the long-term outcome… More >

Heather Y. Sun¹, James A. Proudfoot², Rachel T. McCandless¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 748-756, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12648

Abstract Background: Fetal echocardiography can accurately diagnose critical congenital heart disease prenatally, but relies on referrals from abnormalities identified on routine obstetrical ultrasounds. Critical congenital heart disease that is frequently missed due to inadequate outflow tract imaging includes anomalies such as truncus arteriosus, double outlet right ventricle, transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary stenosis, and aortic stenosis.
Objective: This study evaluated the prenatal detection rate of critical outflow tract anomalies in a single urban pediatric hospital before and after “AIUM Practice Guideline for the Performance of Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations,” which incorporated outflow tract imaging.
Design: Infants… More >

Michele M. Pasierb, Josiah M. Penalver, Margaret M. Vernon, Bhawna Arya

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 571-577, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12611

Abstract Background: Accurate prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) allows for appropriate delivery and postnatal management. Geographic constraints limit access to fetal cardiology subspecialists. In our approach, general pediatric cardiologists are first line in regional prenatal cardiac screening. We aim to demonstrate the utility of this approach in diagnosing CHD requiring cardiac interventions within 30 days of life.
Methods: This is a retrospective review of fetal echocardiograms performed at Seattle Children’s Hospital regional cardiology sites (SCH-RC) from December 2008 to December 2015. Referrals to Seattle Children’s Hospital Prenatal Program (SCH-PNP) were evaluated for referral timing, indication, diagnostic… More >

Rick D. Vavolizza^1,2, Pe’er Dar^3,4, Barrie Suskin^3,4, Robert M. Moore^4,5, Kenan W.D. Stern^1,4

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.3, pp. 407-412, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12584

Abstract Objective: Suboptimal cardiac imaging on obstetric ultrasound is a frequent referral indication for fetal echocardiography, even in the absence of typical risk factors for fetal cardiac disease. The clinical profile of patients and findings of examinations performed for such an indication are not well defined. Given the increased cost, time and resource utilization of fetal echocardiography, we sought to determine the clinical findings of such referrals.
Study Design: We performed a single-center review of such referrals from January 2010 to June 2016. Patients with commonly accepted indications for fetal echocardiography were excluded. Demographic variables and echocardiogram findings… More >

Xinyan Li¹, Xiaoxia Qiu¹, Huan Huang¹, Yili Zhao², Xueqin Li¹, Meng Li¹, Xiaoxian Tian¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 282-287, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12568

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of using fetal heart size measurements derived from axial echocardiography to predict homozygous α-thalassemia-1.
Design: Prospective diagnostic study.
Setting: The carrier rate of α-thalassemia-1 (–/αα) in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is approximately 15%. If both parents are carriers, the risk of homozygous a-thalassemia-1 in one pregnancy is 25%.
Patients: Singleton mid-pregnancies at risk of homozygous α-thalassemia-1 were enrolled.
Outcome Measures: Fetal heart measurements, including heart diameter (HD), heart length (HL), heart circumference (HC), and heart area (HA), were measured. The z-scores for these heart parameters were then calculated separately based on previously constructed z-score… More >

Jonathan Komisar¹, Shubhika Srivastava², Miwa Geiger², John Doucette³, Helen Ko², Jay Shenoy², Rajesh Shenoy²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 67-73, 2017

Abstract Background: Antenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects (CHD) can impact outcomes in neonates with severe CHD. Obstetric screening guidelines and the indications for fetal echocardiography (FE) have evolved in an attempt to improve the early prenatal detection of CHD. Analyzing yield for specific indications will help clinicians better stratify at-risk pregnancies.
Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all FE performed between 2000 and 2010 at a single tertiary care academic medical center in New York City. A total of 9878 FE met inclusion criteria for our study. In cases of multiple gestations (MG), each fetus was counted as… More >