The importance of prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13112/pc.1089Keywords:
HEART DEFECTS, CONGENITAL; CARDIOLOGY; ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY; PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS; FETUSAbstract
Introduction: Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common congenital anomaly, and the majority can be diagnosed during prenatal life. The greatest impact of fetal echocardiography remains the identification of critical CHD before birth to allow immediate cardiac management after delivery to decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality. For fetuses who have duct-dependent lesions or where there is a potential need for early neonatal surgery or intervention, delivery at a cardiac center may be preferable so that prompt postnatal investigations can be planned without the need for transfer of the infant. An understanding of fetal hemodynamics and the acute and chronic changes that occur with the transition to newborn circulation is important for the care of normal newborns and crucial to the recognition, diagnosis, and management of newborns with significant congenital heart disease.
Conclusion: The greatest impact of fetal echocardiography remains the identification of critical congenital heart disease before birth to allow immediate cardiac management after delivery to decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality. Prenatal ultrasound diagnostics enables the fetal cardiologist to predict possible risks of hemodynamic instability of the newborn after birth, to plan multidisciplinary management of childbirth, and to optimize the treatment of patients with congenital heart disease.
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