Fetal cardiac disorders
Oberhänsli-Weiss, I.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 125(7): 294-303
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 7878408 Document Number: 448600
Thanks to recent developments in ultrasonography, morphological and functional studies of the fetal heart have become very reliable. The acquired experience of recent years now allows routine surveillance of the fetal heart in pregnancies at risk, especially when family, fetal or maternal indications exist. The best time for a detailed echocardiographic examination is between the 18th and 22nd week of gestation, which leaves time for a other investigations that may be warranted before critical decisions have to be taken. Fetal cardiology today is not restricted to the diagnosis of structural cardiac malformations only, but allows the identification of arrhythmias and, if necessary, their treatment. Our experience is compared with that of major centres. Ongoing research offers hope that new therapeutic methods will be developed that may prevent or cure fetal cardiac diseases.