Fetal two-dimensional doppler echocardiography (colour flow mapping) and its place in prenatal diagnosis |
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| Authors: | Dr U Gembruch M Hansmann D A Redel R Bald |
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| Institution: | 1. Abt. für Pränatale Diagnostik und Therapie, Universitäts-Frauenklinik, Sigmund Freud-Str. 25, D-5300 Bonn, F.R.G.;2. Pädiatrische Kardiologie, Universitäts-Kinderklinik. Adenauer-Allee 119, D-5300 Bonn. F.R.G. |
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| Abstract: | One hundred and fifty fetuses between 16 and 38 weeks of gestation were studied by fetal echocardiography using colour-coded two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. Two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler spectral analyses were also performed. In 14 fetuses, structural and/or functional abnormalities were detected. Abnormalities were correctly ruled out in all the other fetuses. The advantages of two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography are (1) rapid screening for flow abnormalities in the fetal heart, and thus shortening of the Doppler examination time; (2) rapid diagnosis of valvular regurgitation, valvular stenosis, and abnormal shunting of blood across the interatrial and interventricular septa; and (3) facilitation of the diagnosis of complex congenital heart defects which in certain cases is possible only by using two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. |
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| Keywords: | Echocardiography fetal Doppler echocardiography Fetal colour flow mapping Congenital heart disease Heart fetal Arrhythmia fetal Fetus Prenatal diagnosis Ultrasound |
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