Basic fetal heart examination: The protocol at 18–22 weeks and literature review

Abstract

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) remain the most common birth defect in live births and are the main factors of infant morbidity and mortality in the developed countries. Rapid development of technology over the past decade has led to a significant change in survival rates of infants with CHDs. Early diagnosis and appropriate CHD treatment are essential for the improvement of perinatal outcome. Each year in Poland, we observe dynamic progress in the use of ultrasound prenatal techniques, which offers pregnant women a high-level examination. Basic screening examinations are offered for majority of women, as well as, for selected cases who demand more advanced and extensive ultrasound including fetal echocardiography. The aim of this paper is to summarize the recent knowledge in fetal screening ultrasound of the heart as a standard in the daily practice of every obstetrician-gynecologist.