Advanced Fetal Echocardiography
Segmental cardiac examination: outflow tracts, 3-vessel trachea view (3VT), and hemodynamic color Doppler.
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Detailed Course Syllabus
Fetal Heart Embryology Made Simple
Chronological cardiac development from endothelial tube (W3-4) through D-looping and septation (W5-8) to congenital malformations.
Congenital Heart Defects by Embryologic Stage
The CHD Developmental Map — Stage-by-stage malformations from tube, loop, cushions, and septa to outflow, arches, veins, and the L C S O A V mnemonic.
Fetal Circulation Explained: Blood Flow, Shunts & Birth Changes
From Placental Oxygenation to Neonatal Circulatory Transition and Congenital Heart Disease: Ductus Venosus, Foramen Ovale, Ductus Arteriosus, and ductal-dependent lesions.
Normal Fetal Heart Anatomy: The 5 Transverse Scanning Planes
From cardiac situs and the four-chamber view to LVOT, RVOT, 3VV, and 3VT views step-by-step with interactive plane explorer.
Abnormal Fetal Four-Chamber View: A Step-by-Step Diagnostic Approach
From the First Abnormal Ultrasound Finding to Congenital Heart Defect Differential Diagnosis: The 10-branch interactive diagnostic fork, chamber disproportion, AVSD, Ebstein, septal drop-out, and the normal 4CH trap.
The Abnormal Outflow & 3VV/3VT Diagnostic Fork
From Great-Artery Crossings to Conotruncal CHD and Vascular Rings: Interactive 7-branch diagnostic fork, TOF, d-TGA, DORV, Truncus, 3VV/3VT patterns, and Doppler pitfalls.
Small Left Ventricle: HLHS, Coarctation & Aortic Stenosis
The Small Left Heart Diagnostic Fork: Distinguish HLHS from critical aortic stenosis, suspected coarctation, and unbalanced AVSD with 20 medical figures, interactive algorithm, and 10-question quiz.
Color & Spectral Doppler in Fetal Cardiology
Optimizing scale, gain, and PRF for outflow tract velocities and valve regurgitation.
Common Conotruncal Malformations
Tetralogy of Fallot, d-TGA, truncus arteriosus, and coarctation of the aorta.
Fetal Cardiac Arrhythmias & Function
M-mode and Doppler evaluation of PACs, PVCs, supraventricular tachycardia, and complete heart block.
Learning Objectives
- Master normal fetal cardiac embryology from primitive tubular heart to 4-chamber perfection and connect developmental errors to congenital heart defects.
- Execute the sequential segmental approach: situs, atria, ventricles, and great vessels across the 5 standard transverse planes.
- Evaluate the 4-chamber view for symmetry, valve offset, and interventricular septal integrity.
- Identify the crossover relationship of the great arteries (LVOT and RVOT) to exclude transposition (d-TGA) and conotruncal anomalies.
- Inspect the 3-vessel and trachea (3VT) view for arch anomalies, vascular rings, and hemodynamic color Doppler flow.
Clinical Relevance
Prenatal diagnosis of ductal-dependent cardiac lesions drastically reduces neonatal mortality and morbidity by enabling planned delivery at pediatric cardiac surgical centers.
Clinical Guidelines Aligned
- ISUOG Guidelines: Fetal Echocardiography Screening
- American Heart Association (AHA) Diagnosis and Treatment of Fetal Cardiac Disease
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