Hegge F N, Lees M H, Watson P T
J Reprod Med. 1987 May;32(5):353-8.
The findings were reviewed for approximately 6,700 high- and low-risk obstetric sonograms that included screening imaging of the fetal cardiac position and four chambers as part of a brief fetal anatomy survey. This screening examination identified 12 major cardiac malformations, 3 unusual cardiomegalies and 12 abnormal positions caused by noncardiac abnormalities. Most of these abnormalities probably would not have been identified without the screening examination. Also, the finding of an abnormal fetal cardiac position was often the main indication of a noncardiac abnormality, such as a diaphragmatic hernia. Screening imaging of the fetal cardiac position and four chambers appears to be a productive addition to the fetal anatomy survey for our particular mix of high- and low-risk patients.
