Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by jane m conner on August 12, 2009 at 10:13pm

I have been searching for a protocol for fetal echocardiograms also. You should be incorporating doppler in your studies especial when you have disfunction and dilitation becauss you need to look at diastole function -

Permalink Reply by Amber Schwartz on August 13, 2009 at 8:42am

We do incorporate dopplers in the valves, aorta, pulmonary, along with m-mode, however I recently went to a fetal echo conference and feel like the dopplers we do are just scratching the surface. If you find any protocol, please let me know.

Permalink Reply by Debbra H. Soffer on August 13, 2009 at 12:12pm

Fetal Echo protocols have been written and published by the ASE.
Title: American Society of Echocardiography Guidelines and Standards for Performance of the Fetal Echocardiogram.
A statement of the Pediatric Council of the ASE by J. Rychik, MD; et al.
J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2004;17:803-10 it is copyrighted 2004 by the ASE; number to call 919 787-5574.

Also a must have 'special edition journal' was written in 2006.
Progress in Prediatric Cardiology Volume 22, issue 1 May 2006
Fetal Cardiovascular Disease Guest Editor Jack Rychik MD
available on science direct. "http://www.sciencedirect.com"
The journal is part of ContentsDirect , you could probably view the table of contents through this link; "http://contentsdirect.elsevier.com"

Permalink Reply by Kathi Keaton Borok on August 14, 2009 at 10:41pm

Currently the AIUM is working with ACOG, ACR, and SMFM to draft a Fetal Echo Practice Guideline. Based on review of the literature, this collaborative group is developing a protocol which will be included in the guideline. The new Fetal Echo Practice Guideline should become available soon!

Permalink Reply by Frederick A. Gonzalez, MD on August 17, 2009 at 10:05am

We do Doppler M mode if we can obtain the proper views. It depends which code you want to use. I will use code 76825 which is 2D with or without M mode. This is in contrast to 76827 which is a fetal echo which I refer to the Pediatric Cardiologists. I am also using M mode if I cannot obtain a Tei index when I am evaluating for heart failure in IUGR or TTTS.

Permalink Reply by Alexander Lyakhov on August 21, 2009 at 11:35pm

Fetal Echocardiography protocol need to be the same as Pediatric Echo protocol. But not necessary to use doppler in every Fetal Echo. It depends from the case. Main task of Fetal Echo is CHD exclusion. As for my practic - I use protocol with all parameters, but do measurements accordingly the clinical situation.

Permalink Reply by thuy van nguyen on August 25, 2009 at 2:15am

I suggest AIUM post one case each week of fetal heart disease with discussion(case presentation with discussion/videoclips) similar masters lecture series in www.sonoworld.com.I think it is very helful for members.
Thanks,
Thuy van Nguyen ,from Viet nam