[Fetal cardiology. Bases for the prenatal diagnosis of congenital cardiopathies]. / Cardiologia fetal. Bases para o diagnóstico pré-natal das cardiopatias congénitas.

ABSTRACT

The bases for prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease are presented, in the line of a comprehensive program undertaken by paediatric cardiology and obstetrics. This program is designed to improve the screening of fetal heart diseases by obstetric echographists, particularly those working at peripheral high risk clinics. It includes the visit of paediatric cardiologists to district hospitals for joint meetings with local physicians, going over theoretical aspects, case presentation and four chamber view with outflow tract demonstrations using local ultrasound equipment. Referring protocols, handouts and support media exchange are contemplated. Support texts on the program divulged, on etiology of congenital heart disease, on abnormal fetal echocardiography and on fetal dysrhythmias are presented here in. The need for an organized national effort to increase the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease is emphasized as well as the need to centralize some aspects related to diagnosis and treatment in order to improve the care of newborns with congenital heart disease.