The Fetal Heart

The purpose of this article is to inform the sonographer about how to evaluate the normal fetal heart during routine obstetric examinations. With basic knowledge of how the fetal heart should appear, a sonographer can perform an adequate basic examination in a short period of time, depending on experience. The ventricles, atria, atrioventricular valves, pulmonary artery, aortas, and semilunar valves should be identified in a normal basic evaluation. Their sizes and relationships to each other must be distinguished and may be compared with normal values already established and documented. Techniques on how to identify the structures of the fetal heart when the fetus is in various positions will give the sonographer guidance in establishing the views needed to evaluate the normal heart in fetuses beyond 16 weeks' gestation. With adequate knowledge of normal anatomy and circulation, anomalies may be detected and a more detailed cardiac study can be recommended. Accurate antenatal diagnosis may lead to better perinatal management.