[Diagnosis of a fetal cardiac malformation. Fetal heart]

Ann Pathol. 1997 Sep;17(4):300-5.
[Article in French]

Abstract

To diagnose a fetal heart abnormality is one of the most important purpose of the foetopathologic examination performed after spontaneous abortion, intrauterine death or pregnancy termination. Frequency of cardiac abnormalities in fetal or maternal pathologies explains the significance of this diagnosis in a pertinent genetic counseling before next pregnancy. The diagnose of a fetal heart abnormality requires a good knowledge of: normal anatomy and examination technics of fetal heart, congenital heart abnormalities classification and knowledge of the most common diagnosis, diagnostic orientation according to the cardiopathy: fetal origin in genic syndrome, chromosomal abnormalities, malformative or sporadic association; maternal etiology (toxic, infection, metabolic). This procedure needs experience, acquired by rigorous practice and team working.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiomyopathies / classification
  • Cardiomyopathies / embryology
  • Cardiomyopathies / pathology
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / pathology
  • Fetal Heart / abnormalities*
  • Fetal Heart / anatomy & histology
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis*