Fetal doppler echocardiography

Fetal  doppler echocardiography is an ultrasound examination that can provide  detailed information on the condition of the heart and large blood  vessels of the heart, as well as the speed of blood flow through these  structures with the help of ultrasonic waves and doppler effects. This  review is performed by a specialist in pediatric patients, a  subspecialist of cardiology, only when there are clear reasons  (indications) – the examination is not performed routinely in any  pregnancy. It is most commonly done between the 18th and 24th week of  pregnancy.

INDICATIONS / WHY IT IS DONE?

• If there is evidence of a heart failure in a mother, father, brother or sister.

• If the family has information on hereditary genetic diseases of the type of Marfan syndrome or tubercular sclerosis.

•  If the fetus during a routine ultrasound examination is suspected a  genetic disorder, an anomaly of the heart, or any other anomalies.

• When invasive methods-biopsy of chorionic arteries / amniocentesis / cordocentesis shows a pathological finding.

•  When prenatal tests performed in the first trimester or ultrasound  measurement of the fetal neck (nuchal translucency) showed a  pathological finding.

• If the mother suffers from diabetes,  phenyletonuria, autoimmune diseases – systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.  If the mother was taking certain medications (based on isorectin or  lithium) or alcohol during pregnancy.

• If a primary infection with rubella or cytomegalovirus (CMV) is detected during pregnancy.

• If a heart rhythm of the fetus is seen during ultrasound examination.

HOW IT IS PERFORMED?

•  The examination is done by the doctor who puts the probe on the  mother’s abdomen. The probe is a small plastic device that sends and  receives ultrasonic waves. During the examination, a doctor changes his  place on the abdomen where he sets the probe and the angle under which  he sets in order to obtain a more precise image of the different  structures.

• During the examination, the doctor sees all the  heart structures: anterior chambers, chambers, large blood vessels of  the heart. It also looks at the position of the heart inside the chest  and its size. In addition to the standard ultrasound examination, other  types of ultrasound examinations are also used: pulse Doppler, Doppler  color, “Doppler” power … They are used to assess blood flow through  the heart cavity, the speed and rhythm of cardiac work, the direction of  blood movement in the heart, between different structures.

POTENTIAL RISKS

Fetal echocardiography does not pose a threat to either the mother or the baby.

PREPARATION

•  The examination takes a little longer than a normal ultrasound  examination, because more detailed analysis is required, but it does not  require any preparation or stay in the hospital.

• If you have previous medical records or recordings, you must take them with you and show your doctor.

AFTER THE REVIEW

After the review, you can return to normal daily activities.