[Fetal echocardiography. I: Methods, limitations and indications].

The prenatal detection of congenital heart disease is rather seldom, compared with other fetal malformations. The paper considers the necessity of the development of fetal echocardiography and presents therefore an introduction for the prenatal sonographer. The fetal cardiac characteristics are first analysed, before considering the possibilities and frontiers of the investigation. The different available sonographic methods like the real-time, M-mode, pulsed Doppler and color Doppler are discussed and the importance of each one is emphasized. The indications for fetal echocardiography are further enumerated, as well as the possible consequences resulting from the diagnosis of a heart abnormality. Because of the sophisticated ultrasound devices needed for a precise diagnosis as well as the optimal postnatal care, suspected fetuses have to be referred to centers specialised in perinatal medicine.