[First trimester fetal cardiac scanning for fetuses at higher risk for congenital heart disease]

Objective: To describe the preliminary results of fetal cardiac scanning in the first trimester of pregnancy for fetuses at higher risk for congenital heart defect (CHD).

Patients and methods: Echocardiographic examination was performed at 12 to 14+6 in 67 patients at higher risk for fetal CHD. The indications for referral were: increased nuchal translucency more or equal to 99(e) centile (56 cases), risk of recurrence for CHD (eight cases), embryonic toxic exposure (eight cases), maternal disease (four cases).

Results: Complete examination of the fetal heart was possible in 54/55 cases. Fetal cardiac examination was normal in 58 cases (87 %). Six cases of severe CHD were diagnosed: hypoplastic left heart syndrome, pulmonary atresia with intact septum, complex univentricular CHD leading to termination of pregnancy, conotroncal Fallot like abnormality, and transposition of great arteries. Post-mortem examination was performed in three cases and confirmed the cardiac anomalies.

Discussion and conclusion: Our preliminary results confirmed that fetal heart scanning is feasible at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. Severe CHD are amenable to prenatal diagnosis in the first trimester in the population at higher risk for CHD.