Development of the Z-score for the measurement of myocardial thickness by two-dimensional echocardiography in normal fetuses.

BACKGROUND: In the current literature, there is a tendency to describe normal values of echocardiographic measurements by means of the Z-score. In fetal cardiology, these Z-score equations are still being established. Measurement of myocardial thickness is an important assessment, especially in fetuses of diabetic mothers, because of the risk of developing myocardial hypertrophy secondary to elevated maternal blood glucose levels. OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentiles and to develop the Z-score equations of right and left ventricular lateral walls and interventricular septum measurements using two-dimensional echocardiography in normal fetuses between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study that was performed in single fetuses with normal heart from nondiabetic pregnant women. Measurements of the lateral walls of the right and left ventricles and the interventricular septum were made. RESULTS: Eight hundred and seventy three pregnant women were included. We determined the percentiles of the measurements for each gestational age. The Z-score equation was developed for each of the measurements: right ventricular lateral wall measurement [RVLW = x-(-1 + 0.109 * GA)/0.4], left ventricle lateral wall measurement [LVLW = x-(-1.366 + 0.12 * GA)/0.43], and interventricular septum, both at the four-chamber view [IVS4ch = (x-(-1.113 + 0.107 * GA)/0.4] and at the left ventricular outflow tract plane [IVSLVOT = (x-(-0.581 + 0.084 * GA)/0.35]. CONCLUSION: The present study allowed the demonstration of the percentiles and the Z-score equations for each of the measurements studied.

Z-Score Reference Ranges for Fetal Heart Functional Measurements in a Large Brazilian Pregnant Women Sample.

The objective of this study was to determine the reference values for fetal heart functional measurements at 24 and 34 weeks of gestation and to develop Z-score equations for all measurements. A single-center, prospective, cross-sectional study with normal fetuses between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation was performed. All pregnant women underwent a comprehensive fetal Doppler echocardiogram with anatomical and functional analysis. Measurements of left and right cardiac output, combined cardiac output, mitral and tricuspid valve flow, inferior vena cava flow, and pulmonary vein flow were performed. The Shapiro-Wilk test and histogram evaluation were performed on all variables. Linear regression was used to assess the relationships between measurements and gestational age. A total of 612 pregnant women with singleton and normal fetuses were included. We assessed the reference values and percentiles of cardiac function as a function of gestational age. The variables that were not normally distributed were subjected to logarithmic or square root transformation. Eleven Z-score equations were developed, with equations for left and right ventricle output and combined cardiac output that were dependent on gestational age and with other equations that were independent of gestational age. The present study produced a large database, allowing the demonstration of reference values and percentiles as well as the development of Z-score equations to facilitate the echocardiographic evaluation of fetal heart function.

Reference ranges for the volumes of fetal cardiac ventricular walls by three-dimensional ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation and virtual organ computer-aided analysis and its validation in fetuses with congenital heart diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values for the volumes of fetal cardiac ventricular walls using three-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) and perform data validation using fetuses with confirmed congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study analyzed 371 singleton pregnancies between 20w0d and 33w6d of gestation. Ventricular volumes were assessed using spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) and virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL). We calculated the polynomial regressions, adjusted by the coefficient of determination (R(2) ). To assess intra-observer concordance, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used. To validate the curves, the ventricular wall volumes of 22 fetuses with CHD were evaluated. RESULTS: There was a good correlation between these mean volumes and gestational age, and this correlation was best represented by linear equations. Intra-observer concordance in assessing the volumes of the right (ICC = 0.90) and left ventricular walls (ICC = 0.97) was good. We observed that the volumes of the right and left ventricular walls were altered (<5(th) percentile and/or >95(th) percentile) in 8/22 fetuses presenting with CHD. CONCLUSION: The reference ranges for the volumes of the right and left ventricular walls by 3DUS using STIC and VOCAL between 20w0d and 33w6d of gestation were determinate, and they exhibited good intra-observer concordance.

Assessment of Quality of Fetal Heart Views by 3D/4D Ultrasonography Using Spatio-Temporal Image Correlation in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of fetal heart views by three-dimensional/four-dimensional (3D/4D) ultrasonography using spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: This prospective and cross-sectional study was conducted at a single referral service for the screening of congenital heart diseases (CHDs), with pregnant women at 20-30 weeks' gestation with a normal fetal heart. 3D/4D STIC were obtained from the fetal heart screening in the following views: four-chamber (4C), left and right ventricular outflow tracts (LVOT and RVOT), 3 vessels and trachea (3VT), aortic arch (AA), and ductal arch (DA). We categorized the images as satisfactory or unsatisfactory and performed McNemar's test to evaluate the differences between the two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and 3D/4D STIC techniques. The inter-observer concordance was obtained by kappa coefficient. RESULTS: The rate of satisfactory fetal heart views using 3D/4D STIC was 54% by using 4 planes (4C, RVOT, LVOT, and 3VT) and 14% by using 6 planes (4C, RVOT, LVOT, 3VT, AA, and DA). In contrast, 100% of the 2D echocardiography images were satisfactory (McNemar's test, P < 0.001). We observed moderate inter-observer concordance to both 4- and 6 planes (κ = 0.56 and 0.43, respectively). CONCLUSION: The quality of the main fetal heart views by 3D/4D STIC still present some limitations compared with the 2D echocardiography.

Fetal myocardial wall area: constructing a reference range by means of spatiotemporal image correlation in the rendering mode.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the reference range of the myocardial wall area in the fetus using three-dimensional ultrasound in the rendering mode. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study including 371 singleton, uncomplicated pregnancies at 20 weeks 0 day to 33 weeks 6 days of gestation was carried out. Cardiac volumes were obtained using spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) at the level of the four-chamber view. The end-diastolic myocardial area of the both ventricles was measured manually. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess intra- and interobserver concordance. RESULTS: The mean myocardial area of the fetal right ventricular (RV) wall ranged from 0.86 ± 0.23 cm(2) at 20 weeks 0 day to 2.75 ± 0.69 cm(2) at 33 weeks 6 days of gestation. The mean myocardial area of the fetal left ventricular (LV) wall ranged from 0.82 ± 0.20 cm(2) at 20 weeks 0 day to 2.49 ± 0.59 cm(2) at 33 weeks 6 days of gestation. In addition, intra- and interobserver concordance for the myocardial area of the RV and LV walls was good, with ICC values of 0.94, 0.95, 0.85, and 0.93, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The reference range for the myocardial area of the RV and LV walls was determined by cardio-STIC in the rendering mode at 20 weeks 0 day to 33 weeks 6 days of gestation, with good concordance between values.

Left heart structures in human neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and the effect of fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Small left heart structures are observed in fetuses with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Fetoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) in mid-gestation promotes lung growth in fetuses with CDH, however cardiac effects of FETO are poorly described. We studied the effects of FETO on cardiac structure size at birth, hypothesizing that left heart structures would be larger in neonates who had undergone fetal intervention. METHODS/RESULTS: We performed retrospective measurements of atrioventricular and semilunar valve and pulmonary artery diameters, ventricular lengths, left ventricular end-diastolic volume indexed (LVEDVi) to body surface area. 35 patients were studied (9 FETO, 26 controls). All fetuses had liver herniation and a lung-to-head ratio <1 at fetal presentation. At birth the intervention group had larger LVEDVi (16.8 vs. 12.76 ml/m(2), p < 0.05), LV length Z-score (-2.05 vs. -4, p < 0.01), LV:RV length ratio (1.43 vs. 1.04, p < 0.05), LPA diameter Z-score (+1.71 vs. -1.04, p < 0.05), and better growth of aortic valve (-2.18 FETO, -3.3 controls, p < 0.01). There was a trend toward higher LV output in the FETO group. CONCLUSIONS: Left heart structures and LPA were larger postnatally in patients with CDH who underwent FETO than in those who did not. Hemodynamic alterations are introduced with tracheal occlusion that are associated with alterations in ventricular loading and may influence growth.

Reference ranges of atrioventricular valve areas by means of four-dimensional ultrasonography using spatiotemporal image correlation in the rendering mode.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine reference curves for fetal atrioventricular valve areas by means of three-dimensional ultrasound using the spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) software. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional prospective study on 328 normal fetuses between the 18th and the 33rd weeks of pregnancy. In order to obtain valve areas, the four heart chambers plane was used with the fetus in a dorsal posterior position. To construct reference ranges, a linear regression model was used, adjusted according to the coefficient of determination (R(2)). To calculate the reproducibility of the tricuspid valve area, the intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC) was used. RESULTS: The mean areas of the tricuspid and mitral valves ranged from 0.19 ± 0.08 and 0.20 ± 0.10 cm(2) in the 18th week to 0.93 ± 0.31 and 1.06 ± 0.39 cm(2) in the 33rd week, respectively. The intra-observer and interobserver reproducibility was excellent with ICC = 0.997 and 0.933, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Reference curves for fetal atrioventricular valve areas were determined and presented good reproducibility.

Reference range for fetal interventricular septum area by means of four-dimensional ultrasonography using spatiotemporal image correlation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine reference range for fetal interventricular septum area by means of 3-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) using the spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) method. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 328 normal pregnant women between the 18th and 33rd gestational weeks. To obtain the interventricular septum area, a virtual plane was used, with the green line (region of interest) adjacent to the external margin of the septum, which was manually delimited. To evaluate the correlation of the septum area with the gestational age, different regression modes were evaluated. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the interobserver reproducibility. RESULTS: The interventricular septum area showed correlation with the gestational age (r = 0.81). The mean increased from 0.47 ± 0.10 cm² in the 18th week to 2.42 ± 1.13 cm² in the 33rd week of gestation. The mathematical equation that best represented this correlation was provided by linear regression: interventricular septum area = 0.0511 × gestational age (R² = 0.095). The interobserver reproducibility was good, with bias of 0.01 cm², precision of 0.07 cm² and absolute limits of agreement of -0.14 and +0.15 cm². CONCLUSIONS: Reference range for fetal interventricular septum area were determined by means of 3DUS using STIC in the rendering mode and were shown to be reproducible.

Ectopia cordis: prenatal diagnosis, perinatal outcomes, and postnatal follow-up of an international multicenter cohort case series.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze prenatal diagnosis, perinatal outcomes, and postnatal follow-up in fetuses with ectopia cordis (EC). METHODS: This retrospective analysis accessed 31 patients with EC who were either diagnosed or referred to a tertiary Fetal Medicine centers for EC diagnosis in Brazil, Germany, Italy, and Poland. We analyzed prenatal diagnosis, perinatal outcomes, and follow-up in these patients. RESULTS: Our study included a cohort of 31 fetuses with EC, 4 and 27 of whom had partial and complete protrusion of the heart through a ventral defect in the thoracoabdominal wall, respectively. EC was diagnosed by fetal echocardiography at a mean gestational age of 20.3 ± 8.6 weeks (range, 8-35 weeks). Of the four cases, in which the karyotype was performed, all of them had a normal result (1 - 46,XX and 3 - 46,XY). Five patients showed conotruncal abnormalities and six ventricular septal defects. Termination of pregnancy (TOP) was performed in 15 cases (48%) and seven pregnant women had spontaneous fetal demise (22.5%). Of the seven fetuses that were born alive, four of them died, and three infants underwent surgery. Among these three infants, all of them survived, one was 5 months, 13 years old and 29 years old at the time of study completion. CONCLUSIONS: Ectopia cordis is associated with high mortality rates and intracardiac/extra-cardiac defects. Ventricular septal defects and conotruncal anomalies were the more common intracardiac defects associated with EC. However, in this cohort of fetuses with EC the incidence of PC was lower than reported in the literature.

Spectral Doppler, tissue Doppler, and speckle-tracking echocardiography for the evaluation of fetal cardiac function: an update.

The functional assessment of the fetal heart has been incorporated into cardiac ultrasound screening as a routine procedure, encompassing fetuses with and without structural heart diseases. It has long been known that various cardiac and extracardiac conditions, such as fetal growth restriction, fetal tumors, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, fetal anemia, diaphragmatic hernia, arteriovenous fistula with high cardiac output, and congenital heart diseases (valvular regurgitation and primary myocardial disease), can alter hemodynamic status and fetal cardiac function. Several ultrasound and Doppler echocardiographic parameters of fetal cardiovascular disease have been shown to correlate with perinatal mortality. However, it is still difficult to identify the signs of fetal heart failure and to determine their relationship with prognosis. The aim of this study was to review the main two-dimensional Doppler ultrasound parameters that can be used in the evaluation of fetal cardiac function, with a focus on how to perform that evaluation and on its clinical applicability.

A avaliação funcional do coração fetal foi incorporada ao rastreamento ultrassonográfico como procedimento de rotina, englobando fetos com e sem cardiopatias estruturais. Sabe-se, tradicionalmente, que várias condições cardíacas e extracardíacas podem alterar o estado hemodinâmico e a função cardíaca fetal, como restrição do crescimento fetal, tumores fetais, síndrome de transfusão feto-fetal, anemia fetal, hérnia diafragmática congênita, fístula arteriovenosa com alto débito cardíaco e cardiopatias congênitas (insuficiência valvar, doença primária do miocárdio). Vários parâmetros ecocardiográficos da doença cardiovascular fetal obtidos por ultrassonografia e Doppler têm sido correlacionados com a mortalidade perinatal. No entanto, ainda é difícil determinar a presença de sinais de insuficiência cardíaca fetal e sua relação com o prognóstico. Este estudo teve como objetivo revisar os principais parâmetros bidimensionais da ultrassonografia Doppler que podem ser utilizados na avaliação da função cardíaca fetal, com foco em como realizar essa avaliação e sua aplicabilidade clínica.

How to perform a functional assessment of the fetal heart: a pictorial review.

The purpose of this pictorial review was to describe various echocardiographic techniques that can be used for the functional assessment of the fetal heart. The systolic and diastolic assessments of the fetal heart are presented separately, with an emphasis on 2-dimensional Doppler methods and an overview of new technologies. The aim of this summary was to review the tools that can be used by the echocardiographer, and on that basis, to systematize the process of performing a functional assessment.

Functional cardiac measurements performed by two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography in normal fetuses: Determination of Z-scores and future prospects.

Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiogram with the aid of color Doppler and pulsed Doppler allows one to record blood flow waveforms in several structures of the heart. The determination of normal values of these flows in the fetus can help understand cardiac hemodynamics. Given this importance, numerous surveys have been conducted with various existing echocardiographic techniques in order to improve the functional evaluation and consequently, planning of delivery. The aim of this review was to discuss the findings of the reference values of blood flows obtained by 2D echocardiography with Doppler, the current trend of the determination of Z-scores in the functional measurements, and their future prospects.

Fetal cardiac arrhythmias: Current evidence.

This article reviews important features for improving the diagnosis of fetal arrhythmias by ultrasound in prenatal cardiac screening and echocardiography. Transient fetal arrhythmias are more common than persistent fetal arrhythmias. However, persistent severe bradycardia and sustained tachycardia may cause fetal hydrops, preterm delivery, and higher perinatal morbidity and mortality. Hence, the diagnosis of these arrhythmias during the routine obstetric ultrasound, before the progression to hydrops, is crucial and represents a challenge that involves a team of specialists and subspecialists on fetal ultrasonography. The images in this review highlight normal cardiac rhythms as well as pathologic cases consistent with premature atrial and ventricular contractions, heart block, supraventricular tachycardia (VT), atrial flutter, and VT. In this review, the details of a variety of arrhythmias in fetuses were provided by M-mode and Doppler ultrasound/echocardiography with high-quality imaging, enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, an update on the intrauterine management and treatment of many arrhythmias is provided, focusing on improving outcomes to enable planned delivery and perinatal management.

Risk Factors for Mortality in Children with Congenital Heart Disease Delivered at a Brazilian Tertiary Center.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the incidence of postnatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) and the predictive factors for hospital mortality. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a Brazilian tertiary center, and data were collected from medical records with inclusion criteria defined as any newborn with CHD diagnosed in the postnatal period delivered between 2015 and 2017. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the potential risk factors for mortality. RESULTS: During the 3-year period, 119 (5.3%) children of the 2215 children delivered at our institution were diagnosed with CHD. We considered birth weight (P=0.005), 1st min Apgar score (P=0.001), and CHD complexity (P=0.013) as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. The most common CHD was ventricular septal defect. Indeed, 60.5% cases were considered as "complex" or "significant" CHDs. Heart surgeries were performed on 38.9% children, 15 of whom had "complex" or "significant" CHD. A mortality rate of 42% was observed in this cohort, with 28% occurring within the initial 24 h after delivery and 38% occurring in patients admitted for heart surgery. CONCLUSION: The postnatal incidence of CHD at our service was 5.3%. Low 1st min Apgar score, low birth weight, and CHD complexity were the independent factors that affected the hospital outcome.

Spectral Doppler, tissue Doppler, and speckle-tracking echocardiography for the evaluation of fetal cardiac function: an update / Doppler espectral, Doppler tecidual e speckle-tracking para avaliação da função cardíaca fetal: uma revisão atualizada

Abstract The functional assessment of the fetal heart has been incorporated into cardiac ultrasound screening as a routine procedure, encompassing fetuses with and without structural heart diseases. It has long been known that various cardiac and extracardiac conditions, such as fetal growth restriction, fetal tumors, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, fetal anemia, diaphragmatic hernia, arteriovenous fistula with high cardiac output, and congenital heart diseases (valvular regurgitation and primary myocardial disease), can alter hemodynamic status and fetal cardiac function. Several ultrasound and Doppler echocardiographic parameters of fetal cardiovascular disease have been shown to correlate with perinatal mortality. However, it is still difficult to identify the signs of fetal heart failure and to determine their relationship with prognosis. The aim of this study was to review the main two-dimensional Doppler ultrasound parameters that can be used in the evaluation of fetal cardiac function, with a focus on how to perform that evaluation and on its clinical applicability.

Resumo A avaliação funcional do coração fetal foi incorporada ao rastreamento ultrassonográfico como procedimento de rotina, englobando fetos com e sem cardiopatias estruturais. Sabe-se, tradicionalmente, que várias condições cardíacas e extracardíacas podem alterar o estado hemodinâmico e a função cardíaca fetal, como restrição do crescimento fetal, tumores fetais, síndrome de transfusão feto-fetal, anemia fetal, hérnia diafragmática congênita, fístula arteriovenosa com alto débito cardíaco e cardiopatias congênitas (insuficiência valvar, doença primária do miocárdio). Vários parâmetros ecocardiográficos da doença cardiovascular fetal obtidos por ultrassonografia e Doppler têm sido correlacionados com a mortalidade perinatal. No entanto, ainda é difícil determinar a presença de sinais de insuficiência cardíaca fetal e sua relação com o prognóstico. Este estudo teve como objetivo revisar os principais parâmetros bidimensionais da ultrassonografia Doppler que podem ser utilizados na avaliação da função cardíaca fetal, com foco em como realizar essa avaliação e sua aplicabilidade clínica.

Reference values for the volumes of foetal heart atrial wall by three-dimensional ultrasound using STIC and VOCAL methods between 20w0d and 33w6d weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values for the volumes of foetal heart atrial wall by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound using spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) and virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) methods. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study with 170 normal singleton pregnancies between 20 weeks + 0 days (20w0d) and 33 weeks + 6 days (33w6d) of gestation. Foetal heart atrial wall volume was obtained by VOCAL method with 30-degree rotation (six planes) subtracting the internal volume from the atrium volume. Polynomial regression with adjustments by determination coefficient (R(2)) was performed. To calculate the interobserver reproducibility, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was applied. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) for the left atrium wall volume (cm(3)) ranged from 0.54 ± 0.21 at 20w0d-20w6d to 2.17 ± 0.30 at 33w0d-33w6d. The mean ± SD for the right atrium wall volume (cm(3)) ranged from 0.45 ± 0.16 at 20w0d-20w6d to 2.17 ± 0.62 at 33w0d-33w6d. We observed a satisfactory interobserver reproducibility with CCC = 0.69 and 0.58 for the left and right volumes of foetal heart atrial wall, respectively. The best-fit models were first-degree: volume for the left atrium wall = -2.194 + 0.139*GA (R(2 )=( )0.41) and volume for the right atrium wall = -2.757 + 0.155*GA (R(2 )=( )0.37). CONCLUSION: Reference values for the volumes of foetal heart atrial wall by 3D ultrasound using STIC and VOCAL methods between 20w0d and 33w6d weeks of gestation were established.

Sonocubic fine: new three-dimensional ultrasound software to the screening of congenital heart diseases.

Congenital heart disease is the most common fetal congenital malformations; however, the prenatal rate detection still is low. The two-dimensional echocardiography is the "gold standard" exam to screening and diagnosis of congenital heart disease during the prenatal; however, this exam is operator-depending and it is realized only in high risk pregnancies. Spatio-temporal image correlation is a three-dimensional ultrasound software that analyses the fetal heart and your connections in the multiplanar and rendering modes; however, spatio-temporal image correlation too is operator-depending and time-consuming. We presenting a new three-dimensional software named Sonocubic fine to the screening of congenital heart disease. This software applies intelligent navigation technology to spatio-temporal image correlation volume datasets to automatically generate nine fetal echocardiography standard views. Thus, this new software tends to be less operator-depending and time-consuming.

The value of 3D and 4D assessments of the fetal heart.

The objective of this review was to demonstrate the main tools of three- and four-dimensional ultrasonography, using the spatiotemporal image correlation software and its respective applications for assessing the fetal heart and its vascular connections, along with its potential contribution towards screening for congenital heart diseases. Today, conventional, two-dimensional, echocardiography continues to be the gold standard for diagnosing congenital heart diseases. However, recent studies have demonstrated that spatiotemporal image correlation offers some advantages that boost two-dimensional accuracy in detecting congenital heart diseases, given that the fetal heart assessment can be completed in the absence of the patient (offline) and be discussed by different examiners. Additionally, data volumes can be sent for analysis in reference centers via internet links. Spatiotemporal image correlation also enables direct measurement of heart structures in rendering mode, such as the interventricular septum and the annulus of the atrioventricular valves. Furthermore, it enables assessment of cardiac function when used in association with the virtual organ computer-aided analysis software, thus making it possible to calculate the total systolic function, ejection fraction, and cardiac output.

Newborns with congenital heart diseases: epidemiological data from a single reference center in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the epidemiological data of the population born with the diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD); to compare diagnoses made using fetal echocardiography with the findings from postnatal echocardiography or anatomopathological examination of the heart; and to evaluate mortality among newborns that underwent surgical treatment. METHODS: this was a cohort study with information gathered from the medical records of the pregnant women and their newborns diagnosed with CHD during the fetal or postnatal periods, between January 2008 and December 2012. Means, standard deviations and maximum and minimum values were calculated for the quantitative variables. Relative and absolute values were calculated for the qualitative variables. The heart malformations were categorized in four groups: complex lesions, significant lesions, minor lesions and others. RESULTS: we detected postnatal incidence of CHD of 1.9% at our service. The mean maternal age was 28.3 years and 10 (21.3%) of the pregnant women were ≥ 35 years old. The mean gestational age at the time of performing the fetal echocardiogram was 27.8 weeks. Mean gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks, and the mean weight of the newborns was 2,644.5 grams. Regarding the diagnosis of CHD, there were: 23 complex lesions (39%); 15 significant lesions (26%); 10 minor lesions (17%); 4 other lesions (7%) and 6 normal anatomies (10%). The diagnosis of CHD made on the fetus and postnatally coincided in 77.6% of the cases. A total of 27 patients (60%) underwent surgery, and the outcome was neonatal death in five cases. CONCLUSION: we detected postnatal incidence of CHD of 1.9%, and it was more common among older pregnant women and with late detection in the intrauterine period. Complex heart diseases predominated, thus making it difficult to have a good result regarding neonatal mortality rates.

Prenatal detection of congenital heart diseases: one-year survey performing a screening protocol in a single reference center in Brazil.

Objective. To describe the experience of a tertiary center in Brazil to which patients are referred whose fetuses are at increased risk for congenital heart diseases (CHDs). Methods. This was a cross-sectional observational study. The data was collected prospectively, during the year 2012, through a screening protocol of the fetal heart adapted from the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) guideline. We performed a fetal echocardiogram screening for all pregnant women who were referred to the fetal cardiology outpatient obstetrics clinic of a university hospital. The exams were classified as normal or abnormal. The cases considered abnormal were undergone to a postnatal echocardiogram. We categorized the abnormal fetal heart according to severity in "complex," "significant," "minor," and "others." Results. We performed 271 fetal heart screening. The incidence of abnormal screenings was 9.96% (27 fetuses). The structural CHD when categorized due to severity showed 48.1% (n = 13) of "complex" cases, 18.5% (n = 5) "significant" cases, and 7.4% (n = 2) "minor" cases. The most common referral reason was by maternal causes (67%) followed by fetal causes (33%). The main referral indication was maternal metabolic disease (30%), but there was just one fetus with CHD in such cases (1.2%). CHDs were found in 19/29 fetuses with suspicion of some cardiac abnormality by obstetrician (65.5%). Conclusion. We observed a high rate of CHD in our population. We also found that there was higher incidence of complex cases.