Three-dimensional echocardiography for studies of the fetal heart: present status and future perspectives

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound of the fetal heart is increasingly being used in prenatal diagnosis. While very detailed fetal cardiac studies can be performed using the various 3D ultrasound modalities, their utility for screening for fetal heart disease is yet to be proven. With the emergence of even newer technologies such as quantification techniques and two-dimensional matrix arrays, further improvements are imminent.