Ultrasonography of fetal heart failure in early gestation.

Cardiac dysfunction was observed with transvaginal ultrasound in 12 fetuses at 13-17 weeks' gestation. Impaired contractility of the heart and significant reduction of the left ventricular fractional shortening were noted in these fetuses. Three of the fetuses also had supraventricular tachycardia. Many of the fetuses had cardiomegaly, oligohydramnios, a thick placenta, or associated cardiac and structural anomalies.