Four-dimensional B-mode and color doppler echocardiography of the human fetus

Abstract

Development of 4D ultrasound represents a major advance in non-invasive diagnostice technology and its introduction in clinical practice has initiated a significant paradigm shift in medical ultrasound imaging. Four-dimensional echocardiography allows a more comprehensive assessment of the fetal cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics than has been achievable in any of the current or legacy systems. It has the real potential of significantly expanding the scope of in utero diagnosis of congenital heart disease and other abnormalities of the fetal heart. This is a very new technology and there is a real dearth of investigations critically evaluating its promises and limitations in the fetal application. This is especially relevant for extending its use outside the domain of experts and enthusiasts. At present, traditional 2D B-mode and Doppler sonography will continue to be the standard of practice for fetal cardiac assessment with substantial supplemental assistance from the 4D echocardiography which, however, has the strong potential to become the mainstream approach in the future. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.