Three-dimensional color and power doppler ultrasonography of the fetal cardiovascular system

Abstract

The recent development of fast processors has enabled ultra-rapid calculation and rendering of 3D images and the advent of real-time 3D (also called 4D) ultrasonography. Moreover, using newer systems, fetal structures can now be visualized in different modes including the surface-, the maximum-, the minimum-, and the "X-ray" mode. The fetal vascular anatomy can be examined by using color Doppler and power Doppler ultrasound, power Doppler being superior to color Doppler in visualizing small vessels with low flow; however, the spatial course of the vessels in the human body is best evaluated using 3D ultrasonography. By combining power Doppler and 3D techniques it is possible to study the fetal and placental vessels in relation to surrounding anatomic structures. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.