Novel application of 4D sonography with B-flow imaging and spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) in the assessment of the anatomy of pulmonary arteries in fetuses with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of two-dimensional gray-scale (2D) and color Doppler echocardiography in the study of the size and anatomy of the central pulmonary arteries and of the sources of pulmonary blood flow in a case series of fetuses with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD), and to evaluate whether the use of 4D ultrasound with B-flow imaging and spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) can improve prenatal diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: The study population comprised a group of seven PA-VSD fetuses that had been examined by 2D and color Doppler echocardiography exclusively, and a group of five additional cases identified initially by conventional echocardiography and examined further by 4D ultrasound, for all of which a thorough postnatal or autopsy study of the size and anatomy of the pulmonary arteries and blood supply was available. RESULTS: 2D and color Doppler echocardiography failed to assess the anatomy of the central pulmonary arteries and the source of the pulmonary blood supply in 33% and 25% of the 12 cases, respectively. 4D ultrasound with B-flow imaging and STIC assessed successfully the anatomy of the pulmonary arteries and the source of pulmonary blood supply in all five fetuses examined. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of PA-VSD is influenced by the anatomy of the pulmonary arteries and the sources of the pulmonary blood supply, and by coexisting extracardiac and genetic anomalies. Our findings, although limited to a small sample size, suggest that 4D echocardiography with B-flow imaging and STIC, unlike 2D ultrasound, can provide thorough visualization of very small vessels and of the arterial blood supply to the lungs of fetuses with PA-VSD. 4D ultrasound may be used in the future to improve and help to detail the diagnosis of other fetal cardiac defects.     

Totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection and complex congenital heart disease: prenatal echocardiographic diagnosis and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of prenatal cardiac diagnosis, prognosis, and outcome of totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) and to determine echocardiographic clues in the prenatal diagnosis of isolated TAPVC or TAPVC in association with other complex congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: We reviewed our 13-year experience of prenatal diagnosis of TAPVC. Thirteen fetuses were identified with the diagnoses of TAPVC. We systematically analyzed the individual pulmonary veins by color and pulsed Doppler imaging, the presence of a pulmonary venous confluence, the pulsed and color Doppler evaluation of the vertical vein, and sites of connections. Prenatal diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, surgery, or autopsy. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at diagnosis of TAPVC was 26.3 weeks (range, 20-33 weeks). There were 8 fetuses with TAPVC and right isomerism, 3 fetuses with other associated CHD, and 2 with isolated TAPVC. There were 7 fetuses with supracardiac TAPVC, 4 with infracardiac TAPVC, and 2 with mixed TAPVC. Pulmonary vein color and pulsed Doppler data were available in 10 of 13 fetuses. The pulmonary venous confluence was visualized in all fetuses except 1. The vertical vein was visualized in all fetuses. Five fetuses had suspected signs of obstruction. The diagnosis was confirmed postnatally or at autopsy in 12 cases. Eight patients underwent surgery; 6 died, and 2 were alive. Two patients had compassionate care and died; 3 pregnancies were terminated. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to diagnose accurately complex CHD, including the pulmonary venous connections. When diagnosed prenatally, TAPVC carries a poor prognosis.     

Partial and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in the fetus: two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic findings.

OBJECTIVE: Prenatal diagnosis of total (TAPVC) or partial (PAPVC) anomalous pulmonary venous connection in isolation or associated with other cardiac disease is important for appropriate prenatal counseling and perinatal management. We sought to assess the echocardiographic clues to the fetal diagnosis of TAPVC and PAPVC in a cohort of affected fetuses. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 29 fetal echocardiograms performed in 16 pregnancies with fetal TAPVC or PAPVC, systematically analyzing heart chamber size, presence of a confluence behind the left atrium or of a vertical vein, and Doppler flow patterns. RESULTS: Prenatal diagnosis was made at a mean gestational age of 27 +/- 7 weeks. TAPVC was found in 11 cases; five cases for each of supracardiac and infracardiac types and one mixed type. PAPVC was diagnosed in five fetuses, four of which had scimitar syndrome. Ten fetuses had an additional major cardiac defect, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome and right atrial isomerism. In three cases the prenatal diagnosis was only made at follow-up assessment. Among TAPVC cases, visualization of a confluence behind the left atrium (10/11) and a vertical vein (11/11) were the most consistent echocardiographic clues. Dextrocardia and a small right pulmonary artery suggested scimitar syndrome. The diagnosis was confirmed postnatally or at autopsy in 12 cases. In six fetuses with TAPVC and obstruction confirmed postnatally, continuous turbulent flow in the vertical vein and monophasic continuous flow in the pulmonary veins were demonstrated by color and spectral Doppler. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal echocardiography permits prenatal diagnosis of TAPVC or PAPVC. Spectral and color Doppler provide clues to the presence of an obstructed pulmonary venous pathway.     

超声产前诊断胎儿完全性肺静脉畸形引流的临床研究

目的 探讨产前超声诊断胎儿完全性肺静脉畸形引流的临床价值.方法 回顾性分析我院诊断的10例胎儿完全性肺静脉畸形引流的产前超声表现,并与病理结果进行对照.结果 10例胎儿产前超声诊断完全性肺静脉畸形引流,7例终止妊娠后病理解剖证实,失访3例.7例经解剖证实的完全性肺静脉畸形引流病例产前超声检查均可见左心房显著缩小,彩色多普勒不能显示任何一支肺静脉血流引流入左心房,其中5例显示共同肺静脉腔并测及高速静脉血流频谱、引流途径管腔增宽,3例合并其他心外畸形.结论 产前超声对胎儿完全性肺静脉畸形引流的诊断具有重要的临床价值.     

胎儿超声心动图在产前诊断完全型肺静脉异位引流中的应用

目的探讨完全型肺静脉异位引流（TAPVC）胎儿超声心动图特征及产前诊断临床意义。方法对2010年1月至2013年1月在南京医科大学附属苏州医院超声中心经产前及产后超声心动图或引产后尸检确诊的13例TAPVC胎儿超声心动图特征及产前诊断的临床意义进行总结分析。结果产前超声诊断12例TAPVC,其中心上型7例,心下型3例,心内型2例。超声表现为：胎儿左心稍小于右心,卵圆孔较大,心房水平右向左分流丰富,左心房与降主动脉距离增宽,左心房顶部光滑,无肺静脉开口,其后方可见共同肺静脉干,追踪共同肺静脉干走行可显示引流部位,相应引流部位血管内径扩张。产前超声漏诊1例,经产后超声心动图确诊为心内型TAPVC。13例TAPVC胎儿中3例为单发畸形（3/13）,10例合并其他心内或心外畸形（10/13）。结论 TAPVC有特征性胎儿超声心动图表现,胎儿超声心动图是诊断TAPVC的可靠方法;产前诊断TAPVC有利于孕妇作出优生优育选择,使胎儿出生后得到及时治疗。     

二维联合动态三维超声时空关联成像技术诊断胎儿完全型心内膜垫缺损

目的探讨二维联合动态三维超声时空关联成像(STIC)技术诊断胎儿完全型心内膜垫缺损(CTECD)的价值。方法应用超声心动图检查28 388例孕18~40周的胎儿,二维及彩色多普勒超声以胎儿四腔心切面为常规扫查切面,多切面扫查观察胎儿心脏大小、形态、房室结构、房室瓣开闭、左右心室流出道及其血流动力学改变,发现心脏解剖结构异常后应用动态三维超声STIC技术实时、动态观测胎儿三维房室结构及其血流动力学改变。结果本组28 388例孕妇中,超声心动图明确存在先天性心脏病胎儿861例,其中诊断CTECD 68例。结论二维联合动态三维超声STIC技术可诊断胎儿CTECD,可在短时间内直观地显示胎儿CTECD的大小、形态及其血流动力学改变。     

超声心动图诊断胎儿完全型肺静脉异位引流

目的 探讨胎儿完全型肺静脉异位引流(TAPVC)产前诊断线索及超声心动图特征.方法 回顾性分析于我院经超声诊断并经尸体检查或出生后超声心动图证实的14胎TAPVC胎儿的二维及多普勒图像的特征.结果 产前诊断12胎TAPVC,其中心上型9胎,心内型2胎,心下型1胎.TAPVC的产前诊断线索及超声心动图特征:二维超声四腔心切面未显示肺静脉角,左心房后壁光滑;左心房后壁与降主动脉间距离增大;可见共同肺静脉腔和垂直静脉.产前超声心动图漏诊2胎,经出生后超声心动图证实均为心内型TAPVC.14胎TAPVC中,4胎伴肺静脉引流途径梗阻.结论 胎儿超声心动图可诊断TAPVC并准确分型;脉冲和彩色多普勒超声可显示肺静脉回流途径梗阻.     

Three-dimensional (3D) and 4D color Doppler fetal echocardiography using spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC).

OBJECTIVE: Color Doppler echocardiography is used to visualize three transverse planes: the four-chamber, five-chamber, and three vessels and trachea views. Color Doppler spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) is a new three-dimensional (3D) technique allowing the acquisition of a volume of data from the fetal heart that is displayed as a cineloop of a single cardiac cycle. The aim of the study was to examine the potential of color Doppler STIC to evaluate normal and abnormal fetal hearts. METHODS: This prospective study included 35 normal fetuses and 27 fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHD) examined between 18 and 35 weeks of gestation. Volume acquisition was achieved by initiating the image capture sequence from the transverse four-chamber view. Volumes were stored for later offline evaluation using a personal computer-based workstation in a multiplanar mode and as spatial volume rendering. RESULTS: Successful acquisition was possible in all 62 cases. The three planes could be demonstrated in 31/35 healthy fetuses and in 24/27 fetuses with CHD. Spatial volume rendering was attempted in 18 fetuses with CHD. In the four normal fetuses with inadequate visualization using color Doppler STIC, the region of interest was perpendicular to the ultrasound beam. In two fetuses with CHD inadequate visualization was related to an enlarged heart in late gestation, in which the entire cardiac volume could not be acquired. The third case was an 18-week fetus with complex CHD and transposed great vessels in which artifacts were related to confluent color signals as a result of low resolution in the reconstructed plane. CONCLUSIONS: STIC in combination with color Doppler ultrasound is a promising new tool for multiplanar and 3D/4D rendering of the fetal heart. Limitations may be found later in gestation in fetuses with large hearts and early in gestation as a result of low discrimination of signals. In addition, insonation perpendicular to the structure of interest does not image color Doppler signals and should be avoided during acquisition.     

产前超声心动图与解剖铸型观察胎儿完全性肺静脉异位引流

目的 采用产前超声心动图与解剖铸型观察胎儿完全性肺静脉异位引流（TAPVC）。方法 纳入9胎经产前超声心动图诊断为TAPVC的胎儿,对引产后3胎标本进行解剖、6胎标本制作胎儿心脏铸型,观察胎儿静脉回流特点及合并心内外畸形。结果 9胎TAPVC中,66.67%（6/9）为心上型,33.33%（3/9）为心下型。胎儿超声四腔心切面见左心房缩小,未见静脉与左心房相连;三血管气管切面见左心房后方赘余血管;6胎心上型TAPVC中,4胎肺静脉汇入右上腔静脉、2胎肺静脉汇入左上腔静脉;3胎心下型TAPVC肺静脉均汇入门静脉。9胎均合并心房异构综合征,8胎（8/9,88.89%）合并单心室,7胎（7/9,77.78%）合并肺动脉狭窄,合并单心房及完全型心内膜垫缺损各4胎（4/9,44.44%）;5胎（5/9,55.56%）合并永存左上腔静脉,合并双下腔静脉及左头臂静脉主动脉弓下走行各1胎（1/9,11.11%）;1胎（1/9,11.11%）合并膈疝。结论 TAPVC胎儿多合并心内外畸形及体静脉异常。产前超声具有重要诊断价值,解剖铸型有助于认识TAPVC胎儿血管走行及静脉引流途径。     

产前超声诊断胎儿孤立完全性肺静脉异位连接

目的探讨本中心32例胎儿孤立完全性肺静脉异位连接(TAPVC)产前超声的主要特征。方法选择我院经产前超声心动图检出孤立TAPVC病例32例,经出生后检查或尸检证实诊断,回顾性分析超声检查的图像和结果。结果本研究胎儿共诊断TAPVC 75例,孤立TAPVC 35例。单发病例诊断时孕周为22~38周,平均(27.5±4.5)周,年龄为21~38岁,平均(28.0±4.0)岁,其中引产23例,12例出生。出生后证实诊断的9例,假阳性3例。出生的9例TAPVC病例8例在新生儿期手术治疗,平均手术年龄8.6d,平均随访40.6个月(18~75个月)。引产病例由尸检证实诊断。总结可作为超声诊断特征的直接征象和间接征象:包括肺静脉共同腔、肺静脉回流完整途径(是否存在梗阻)、右心优势、左房后壁-降主动脉的距离、引流入血管(腔静脉和冠状窦)扩张等。结论胎儿孤立TAPVC产前超声具有特征性表现。产前系统检查可对TAPVC的分型及梗阻做出准确的判断,为孕妇制定最佳的生产计划和手术方案。     

时间-空间关联成像联合B-flow在胎儿永存左上腔静脉产前超声诊断中的应用价值

目的探讨时间-空间关联成像(STIC)联合B-flow在胎儿永存左上腔静脉产前超声诊断中的应用价值。方法对产前胎儿常规二维超声心动图可疑或明确心脏畸形的132例胎儿进行B-flow显像及STIC数据采集,观察有无左上腔静脉,并将产前超声诊断结果与产后新生儿超声心动图及引产后胎儿尸体解剖病理检查结果进行对比分析。结果 132例胎儿中120例在B-flow显像模式下STIC数据采集成功,采集成功率为90.9%(120/132);120例STIC数据采集成功的胎儿中,常规二维超声心动图诊断永存左上腔静脉15例(15/20)。B-flow-STIC诊断永存左上腔静脉20例。其中5例伴无名静脉缺如,4例合并心脏严重复杂畸形(2例合并完全性房室间隔缺损,1例合并三尖瓣发育不良,1例合并右心室双出口,1例合并右位主动脉弓,5例合并室间隔缺损),6例为单纯性永存左上腔静脉。B-flow-STIC修正常规二维超声心动图诊断5例;其中2例常规二维超声心动图诊断为房间隔缺损,1例常规二维超声心动图诊断为完全性房室间隔缺损,1例常规二维超声心动图诊断为心内型肺静脉异位引流,均经B-flow-STIC修正诊断为永存左上腔静脉;1例常规二维超声心动图漏诊,B-flow-STIC诊断为永存左上腔静脉引流至左心房。结论 STIC联合B-flow可清晰显示胎儿永存左上腔静脉及其空间位置关系,有利于提高永存左上腔静脉产前超声诊断准确性。     

A new approach to fetal echocardiography: digital casts of the fetal cardiac chambers and great vessels for detection of congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe a method of 4-dimensional (4D) reconstruction of the cardiac chambers and outflow tracts using a combination of spatiotemporal image correlation, "inversion mode," and "B-flow" imaging. METHODS: Spatiotemporal image correlation and the inversion mode were used in the examination of the volume data sets of 23 fetuses with congenital heart anomalies. A subset was also examined with B-flow imaging using the gradient light algorithm. Digital reconstructions from abnormal hearts were compared with a library obtained from fetuses without abnormalities. RESULTS: Rendered images of the 4-chamber view using the inversion mode were characterized by: (1) echogenic chambers; (2) sharp delineation of chamber contours when compared with 2-dimensional (2D) images; and (3) distinct display of the myocardium, interventricular septum, interatrial septum, and mitral and tricuspid valves as anechoic structures. Ventricular septal defects, abnormal differential insertion of the atrioventricular valves, and valve atresia were well visualized with the inversion mode. The application of inversion mode or B-flow imaging to 4D rendering of the outflow tracts resulted in "digital casts" displaying the spatial relationships between the outflow tracts as well as the connections between the great arteries and ventricular chambers. The spatial relationships and communications among cardiac structures cannot be visualized with conventional 2D ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS: The application of spatiotemporal image correlation, inversion mode, and B-flow imaging generates information about the anatomy and pathologic characteristics of the fetal heart (digital casts) that cannot be obtained with 2D fetal echocardiography. We propose that these modalities enhance the information provided by ultrasonographic interrogation of the fetal heart and will improve prenatal diagnosis.     

超声心动图评估完全型肺静脉异位连接中肺静脉病变

目的 探讨超声心动图评估完全型肺静脉异位连接（TAPVC）中肺静脉病变的价值。方法 收集55例TAPVC患儿的超声心动图资料,并与CTA及术中所见进行对比。结果 应用超声心动图根据肺静脉引流部位对55例TAPVC患儿进行分类,分为心上型24例、心内型20例、心下型7例及混合型4例。15例垂直肺静脉梗阻中,心上型的梗阻多出现在垂直静脉与无名静脉或上腔静脉之间,心下型的梗阻均出现在垂直静脉与肝静脉或门静脉之间。肺静脉狭窄4例,其中3例局限性狭窄均为心内型,出现在分支肺静脉与共同肺静脉腔或右心房之间,1例弥漫性狭窄为心下型。分支肺静脉异常9例,其中超声心动图仅检出1例,而CTA检出8例。结论 超声心动图能对TAPVC中的肺静脉的引流、梗阻和分支肺静脉近端的狭窄做出更为全面的评价。CTA评估分支肺静脉的汇入和数目异常及远端肺静脉的成像方面优于超声心动图。     

Visualization of blood flow in hepatic vessels and hepatocellular carcinoma using B-flow sonography

PURPOSE: A B-flow sonographic technique was recently developed to provide direct visualization of blood flow with gray-scale sonography. Compared with color Doppler sonography, B-flow imaging has wideband resolution and a high frame rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of B-flow sonography for visualizing blood flow in hepatic vessels and tumor vascularity in patients with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Twenty-five patients with liver cirrhosis, including 15 with HCC, were studied by B-flow and color Doppler sonography. Blood-flow detection rates in portal veins and hepatic arteries and tumor vascularity in HCC were analyzed, and the 2 methods were compared. RESULTS: Using B-flow, blood flow was visualized in the portal vein in 23 (92%) of 25 patients and was visualized in the hepatic artery separately from the portal vein in 9 (36%) of 25 patients. The blood-flow signals were visualized only within vessels, never "bleeding" outside the vessel's lumen. Blood flow in the portal vein was observed with color Doppler sonography in all 25 patients, but the hepatic artery was never clearly separated from the portal vein. Vascularity within the HCC tumor was detected in 9 (60%) of 15 nodules with B-flow imaging, and fine arteries flowing into the tumor were observed in 6 nodules. Color Doppler sonography detected blood flow in 13 (87%) of the 15 HCC nodules. CONCLUSIONS: Blood flow in hepatic vessels and tumor vessels of HCC were visualized with B-flow sonography. B-flow sonography is a potentially useful technique for the evaluation of liver vascularity and intratumoral vessels.     

Proximal bifurcation of hepatic artery: Novel findings on hepatic arteries demonstrated by ultrasound Doppler imaging, B-flow, and US angiography

Purpose It has generally been held that each portal branch is always accompanied by a single arterial branch in the liver. During Doppler ultrasound examination, however, we sometimes encounter a portal branch that appears to be associated with two arterial branches, a phenomenon referred to below asthis finding orthis phenomenon. Here we attempt to confirm that this finding is based on a correct interpretation of the image and to disclose its basic mechanism. Material and Methods Five cases of chronic liver disease in which this phenomenon appeared were analyzed with B-flow imaging. Videotapes obtained from 30 patients who had chronic liver disease and had undergone ultrasound angiography (USAG) with arterial infusion of CO₂ micro bubbles were reviewed in order to look for similar findings. Sixty-nine healthy controls were also examined with Doppler sonography for this purpose. Histopathologic specimens from 7 patients who had undergone hepatectomy (3 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 with metastatic tumor, and 1 with focal nodular hyperplasia) were examined to study the basic structure of the hepatic vessels. Results and Discussion Three parallel color signals (two pulsatile and one of a constant waveform) observed on Doppler examination were confirmed by the B-flow method to be three independent vessels in all five cases in which both Doppler sonography and B-flow imaging were used. In 13 (43%) of the 30 cases of USAG, two vessels along a portal branch were visualized by the inflow of micro bubbles, indicating that the two vessels were arteries. The trio of one portal and two arterial branches was also detected with Doppler sonography in 12 (17%) of the 69 healthy controls. In 10 (59%) of the 17 cases (5 of liver disease and 12 normal) that showed this finding on Doppler examination, bifurcations of the hepatic artery and portal vein were both visualized. Hepatic arterial branches were found to bifurcate slightly more proximal to the hepatic hilus than the accompanying portal branch. Histopathologic study revealed Glisson’s areas that contained one portal branch and two arterial vessels in nontumorous parts of specimens from all 7 patients with hepatectomy. Conclusion Two arterial branches can be demonstrated along a portal branch as a result of a more-proximal bifurcation of the hepatic artery than of the portal vein.     

时空关联成像检测胎儿复杂心脏畸形的应用价值

目的 评价时空关联成像(spatio-temporal image correlation,STIC)在诊断胎儿复杂心脏畸形中的应用价值.方法 选择二维超声筛查疑似复杂心脏畸形的25例中晚孕期胎儿,胎龄20～30周,平均(25.88±8.3)周.进行心脏和胸部的自动扫查,应用STIC技术后处理获得动态三维图像,对获得的容积数据应用正交三平面模式、表面成像模式、反转模式和最小模式离线分析进行心脏复杂畸形的诊断,并与尸解或出生后彩色多普勒超声复查的结果对照分析.结果 25例胎儿通过STIC技术均可获得满意的胎儿心脏容积数据.发现胎儿复杂心脏畸形中.右室双出口1例,永存动脉干1例,完全型大动脉转位3例,矫止型大动脉转位1例,完全性心内膜垫缺损4例,右室发育不良1例,左室发育不良2例,三尖瓣闭锁1例,肺动脉闭锁1例,法洛四联症3例,单心房1例,两腔心畸形4例,法洛五联症1例,房间隔缺损、室间隔缺损并冠状静脉窦扩张1例.23例与尸体解剖或产后复查结果相一致,敏感性为92%(23/25).结论 STIC技术能快速准确地检测出胎儿复杂心脏畸形,对妊娠预后具有重要的指导意义.     

时间-空间相关成像技术评价胎儿心脏形态结构的初步研究

目的评估3D／4D时间-空间相关成像（STIC）是否能比常规二维胎儿超声心动图提供更多胎儿心脏的切面及信息。方法采用3D／4DSTIC超声系统对26例孕龄16～41周的正常胎儿进行心脏和胸部的自动扫查，获得容积数据后进行脱机分析，主要对胎儿心脏的解剖结构进行多平面的观察和三维重建，重点观察胎儿心脏的流出道等结构。结果26例胎儿皆成功获得满意二维和三维四腔心切面的图像。通过STIC技术获得的容积数据显示了一系列相互垂直的三维平面图像（即A平面、B平面、C平面），对其中的每一幅图像都可通过旋转、平移进行控制、分析。切割或三维重建图像可获得比常规二维胎儿超声心动图检查更多的切面及信息。结论3D／4DSTIC技术比常规二维胎儿超声心动图检查能更快地提供更多的观察心脏解剖结构的切面和信息。     

Four-dimensional sonography with B-flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation for visualization of the fetal heart

PURPOSE: To use B-flow imaging with 4-dimensional (4D) sonography and spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) in the evaluation of normal fetal heart and congenital heart disease during pregnancy. METHOD: Volume data sets of the fetal heart were acquired with automated transverse and longitudinal sweeps of the anterior chest wall. We studied 13 normal fetuses and 2 fetuses with congenital heart disease (1 double-outlet right ventricle and 1 hypoplastic left heart syndrome) at gestation ages ranging from 13 to 39 weeks using transabdominal 4D B-flow sonography with STIC (4D BF-STIC). RESULTS: 4D BF-STIC demonstrated dynamic angiographic features in both normal and abnormal fetal hearts. 4D BF-STIC images could not be obtained in 2 normal fetuses at 18.1 and 33.1 weeks because of the high fetal heart rate and inappropriate fetal position. In normal fetal heart, characteristic hemodynamic changes in both atria and ventricles were clearly demonstrated in systole and diastole. 4D BF-STIC also allowed visualization of the relationship, size, and course of the outflow tracts, thus helping the examiner to better understand the relationships between the vessels. In a case of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, dramatic hemodynamic changes including the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery were evident. In a case of double-outlet right ventricle with ventricular septal defect, left-to-right shunt flow through a ventricular septal defect was clearly shown, as were great arteries originating in parallel from the right ventricle. CONCLUSION: 4D BF-STIC provides a means of real-time 3-dimensional evaluation of fetal intracardiac and extracardiac hemodynamics in the second and third trimesters. This novel technique assists in the evaluation of fetal cardiac hemodynamics and may play an important role in future fetal cardiac research and in the evaluation of congenital heart disease in the fetus.     

彩色多普勒超声心动图对完全性肺静脉异位连接的诊断价值

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声心动图对完全性肺静脉异位连接(TAPVC)的诊断价值。方法回顾分析19例经手术证实的完全性肺静脉异位连接患者的超声心动图诊断情况。结果 19例TAPVC患儿首次彩色多普勒超声心动图检查诊断与手术诊断的符合率为89.5%(17/19),其中心上型11例,心内型5例,心下型1例。首次超声检查漏诊2例(2/19),其中包含1例心下型TAPVC以及将1例混合型TAPVC(心上型+心内型)诊断为部分性肺静脉异位连接(心内型)。这两例患者术前再次复查超声心动图检查均做出了正确诊断。19例TAPVC均伴有继发孔房间隔缺损及中至重度肺动脉高压。结论彩色多普勒超声心动图对TAPVC能明确诊断及分型,为制定外科治疗方案提供重要依据。     

超声心动图诊断胎儿孤立性完全性肺静脉异位引流

目的探讨超声心动图诊断胎儿孤立性完全性肺静脉异位引流(TAPVC)的价值.方法 回顾性分析17例胎儿孤立性TAPVC的产前超声资料,观察分析其二维超声心动图及CDFI表现,测量TAPVC胎儿左心室与右心室横径比值(LV/RV)、左心房与右心房横径比值(LA/RA),并与同孕周正常胎儿预测值进行统计学比较.结果 15例孤立性TAPVC胎儿中,心上型9例,心内型4例,心下型2例;4例见血流梗阻,其中心上型3例,心下型1例,CDFI示梗阻处血流信号明亮,梗阻处流速1.0~1.6 m/s.15例孤立性TAPVC胎儿的LV/RV为0.75~0.99,平均0.88±0.08,小于同孕周正常胎儿预测值(t=-3.305,P=0.005).LA/RA为0.68~1.00,平均0.84±0.11,亦小于同孕周正常胎儿预测值(t=-3.320,P=0.005).结论 超声心动图可用以胎儿期诊断孤立性TAPVC.