[Fetal echocardiography--possibilities and limits].

Actual possibilities and limitations in fetal echocardiography (two-dimensional and impulse-Doppler technique) based on our own experiences in 53 cases are described. Morphological analysis was almost successful after the 22nd week of gestation, in 11.3% the imaging was inadequate as the result of unfavorable ultrasound viewing. In twins especially the morphological analysis of the second fetus was more difficult. Clear morphological differentiation from the important parts of the fetus heart was possible after the 30th week of gestation in the majority of cases. From 47 sonographically judgeable fetal hearts 3 were classified as malformations. One of them could be confirmed by autopsy (ventricle-septal defect combined with cor monatrium), the second case clinically/echocardiographically postpartally respectively (atrial septal defect - secundum type). On the other hand the third pathological diagnosis of fetal echocardiography (single ventricle) could not be confirmed post-natally. As the result of this preliminary study fetal echocardiography can currently provide some important clues for the selection, perinatological treatment and care in birth of the child with a potentially higher risk factor. Additionally the authors point out the possibilities of complex functional analysis of the fetal heart under different pharmacological treatment.