Prenatal diagnosis of ostium secundum atrial septal defect by M-mode fetal echocardiography

Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1998;45(1):68-70. doi: 10.1159/000009910.

Abstract

Advances in fetal echocardiography enable the prenatal diagnosis of a vast majority of congenital heart defects. On the other hand, ostium secundum atrial septal defect is difficult to diagnose in the fetus. Although a defect of minor clinical significance, this may be the only intrauterine finding of a chromosomal anomaly. We documented an abnormal oscillatory pattern of the foramen ovale flap motion by M-mode fetal echocardiography in 2 fetuses with ostium secundum atrial septal defect. This may be a more consistent finding for the prenatal diagnosis of ostium secundum atrial septal defect than the previously reported bidirectional flow across the foramen ovale on color Doppler sonography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Color*
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed*
  • Female
  • Fetal Heart / abnormalities*
  • Fetal Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / embryology
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*