Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Luis Mansilla on December 29, 2009 at 11:43am

In our Perinatal clinic I would say that the main indications for sending a patient to have a fetal echo would be:
Suspected or abnormal cardiac ultrasound finding during the routine anatomy checkup
Family history of CHD
Abnormal NT (>3mm)
Known chromosomal abnormality
Fetal cardiac arrythmia
Monochorionic twins
Pregestational diabetes
Exposure to certain medication

Permalink Reply by Lisa M. Allen on December 29, 2009 at 12:03pm

I work at a Perinatal Center in Syracuse, NY and agree with the list Luis provided.

Permalink Reply by Lisa M. Allen on December 29, 2009 at 10:50pm

Diane, in addition you might want to check out an article entitled "Indications for Fetal Echocardiogrpahy" in Pediatric Cardiology 2004;25(3): 210-22 (Small and Copel) and "The Performance of the basic fetal cardiac ultrasound examination" (Lee) J Ultrasound Med 1998;17: 601-607 (there is a table that summarizes indications). Hope this helps!

Permalink Reply by Diane Brower-Johnson on December 30, 2009 at 3:56pm

That is great, Lisa. I will get those articles. I was hoping AIUM would have specific indications that they recommended.

Lisa M. Allen said:

Diane, in addition you might want to check out an article entitled "Indications for Fetal Echocardiogrpahy" in Pediatric Cardiology 2004;25(3): 210-22 (Small and Copel) and "The Performance of the basic fetal cardiac ultrasound examination" (Lee) J Ultrasound Med 1998;17: 601-607 (there is a table that summarizes indications). Hope this helps!

Permalink Reply by Dr Mubarak elradi mohammed nour on December 30, 2009 at 10:15pm

I AGREE THOSE ARE THE MOST COMMON INDICATIONS THANKS ALOT

Permalink Reply by Diane Brower-Johnson on December 31, 2009 at 11:42am

What about AMA?

Dr Mubarak elradi mohammed nour said:

I AGREE THOSE ARE THE MOST COMMON INDICATIONS THANKS ALOT

Permalink Reply by Dr.Haissam Aref.DMS on January 1, 2010 at 3:44am

as a routine for patients with family history of CHD or during an ordinary check up....

Permalink Reply by Marcia W. Jones on January 3, 2010 at 9:26pm

We also do fetal echoes for 2 vessel cords.

Permalink Reply by Diane Brower-Johnson on January 4, 2010 at 9:42am

Are you not doing Fetal Echoes when the patient is AMA? What about over 40? Are you often doing an Fetal Echo when doing a Detailed ultrasound, even if it is not indicated, but not charging for it?

Marcia W. Jones said:

We also do fetal echoes for 2 vessel cords.

Permalink Reply by Mark Sklansky on January 19, 2010 at 8:07pm

My understanding is that the AIUM, in conjunction with the ASE, will soon be publishing revised guidelines for fetal echocardiography. These guidelines may include indications for fetal echocardiography.

Permalink Reply by Diane Brower-Johnson on January 20, 2010 at 10:07am

Thank you.

Mark Sklansky said:

My understanding is that the AIUM, in conjunction with the ASE, will soon be publishing revised guidelines for fetal echocardiography. These guidelines may include indications for fetal echocardiography.

Permalink Reply by Greggory DeVore MD on August 20, 2010 at 12:32pm

I would add several other indications to the list:
1. Fetuses at risk for Down syndrome ( abnormal NT, 2nd trimester QUAD, maternal age, etc) who do not desire an amniocentesis or CVS. I just published a review article that can be downloaded free of charge at:http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/uog.7652/abstract;jsessi...

2.Fetuses who are conceived using various reproductive technologies such as IVF