Doppler ultrasound examination of the fetal coronary circulation

Abstract

The coronary circulation provides blood to the myocardium. Matching myocardial blood flow and demand is critical to ensure cardiac function over a wide variety of physiologic and pathologic conditions. For this reason examination of coronary vascular dynamics in various fetal conditions is becoming increasingly relevant to the perinatal medicine specialist. Ultrasound examination of the fetal coronary circulation has become possible through advances in ultrasound technology and a better understanding of human fetal cardiovascular physiology. Although not yet standard clinical practice, continuing trends in ultrasound technology and spreading familiarity with the examination and interpretation is likely to expand clinical applications in the future [1]. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.