Feasibility of detection of the 3-vessel and trachea view using 3-dimensional sonographic volumes.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability to depict the 4-chamber and 3-vessel and trachea views of the fetal heart using 3-dimensional sonography.

METHODS

Three-dimensional color Doppler volumes of the fetal heart were acquired prospectively in 31 fetuses between 19 and 25 gestational weeks. The initial plane consisted of the 4-chamber view. Postprocessing included navigation within the volume solely in plane A in the caudal direction to visualize the stomach and in the cephalic direction to the plane of the 3-vessel and trachea view to visualize the pulmonary artery, the aorta, the V shape and color of the arches, the superior vena cava, and the trachea. The feasibility of showing these organs was evaluated.

RESULTS

The estimated time for volume acquisition and manipulation was about 60 seconds. The detection rates for the 4-chamber view, stomach, 3-vessel view, trachea, and V sign were 100%, 93.5%, 92.0%, 77.4%, and 83.9%, respectively, with interobserver agreement of 0.76 to 1.0.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe a simple technique in which a single sweep on 3-dimensional sonography starting at the level of the 4-chamber view can visualize the situs, stomach, 4-chamber view, and transverse view of the outflow tracts of the heart.