Gulfcoast Ultrasound: Fetal Heart Screening

Comprehensive Training in Prenatal Cardiac Ultrasound and Congenital Heart Disease Screening

Overview

Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute – Fetal Heart Screening is a specialized obstetric ultrasound training program focused on the systematic evaluation of the fetal heart during routine prenatal examinations. The course provides a practical, step-by-step approach to fetal cardiac screening, enabling sonographers and healthcare professionals to improve detection rates of congenital heart disease (CHD), one of the most common congenital abnormalities identified during pregnancy.

Through expert instruction and detailed ultrasound demonstrations, participants learn the embryologic development of the fetal heart, standardized screening protocols, evaluation of cardiac anatomy, and recognition of abnormal findings. Particular emphasis is placed on the essential screening views recommended for routine obstetric ultrasound examinations, including the four-chamber view, left and right ventricular outflow tracts, and the three-vessel/trachea view.

This course is designed to improve confidence in identifying normal fetal cardiac anatomy while enhancing the ability to detect major congenital cardiac abnormalities during prenatal screening.

Course Specifications

Format

• Video Lectures
• Ultrasound Demonstrations
• Case-Based Learning
• Prenatal Cardiac Imaging Education

Educational Level

Beginner to Advanced

Provider

Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Understand the embryologic development of the fetal heart.
• Identify normal fetal cardiac anatomy on ultrasound.
• Perform a systematic fetal heart screening examination.
• Evaluate the four-chamber view accurately.
• Assess the left and right ventricular outflow tracts.
• Interpret the three-vessel and trachea view.
• Recognize common congenital cardiac abnormalities.
• Improve prenatal detection of congenital heart disease.
• Differentiate normal findings from pathologic conditions.
• Enhance confidence and consistency in fetal cardiac imaging.

Course Curriculum

Development of the Fetal Heart

A foundational review of cardiac embryology and fetal cardiovascular development.

Topics Include

• Embryologic Formation of the Heart
• Cardiac Looping
• Septation of the Heart
• Development of Great Vessels
• Fetal Circulation
• Normal Cardiac Physiology

Understanding normal development is essential for recognizing congenital abnormalities.

Four-Chamber View: Top 10 Screening Checklist

The four-chamber view remains one of the most important components of fetal cardiac screening.

Topics Include

• Cardiac Position and Situs
• Cardiac Axis
• Chamber Symmetry
• Ventricular Size Assessment
• Atrial Size Assessment
• Interventricular Septum
• Interatrial Septum
• Atrioventricular Valve Evaluation
• Cardiac Function
• Pericardial Assessment

Top 10 Checklist Approach

Participants learn a standardized checklist that improves detection of structural cardiac abnormalities during routine examinations.

Evaluation of the Outflow Tracts

Comprehensive instruction on assessing the great arteries.

Left Ventricular Outflow Tract (LVOT)

Topics include:

• Aortic Root Evaluation
• Continuity with the Left Ventricle
• Aortic Valve Assessment
• Detection of LVOT Abnormalities

Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT)

Topics include:

• Pulmonary Artery Assessment
• Pulmonary Valve Evaluation
• RVOT Anatomy
• Detection of RVOT Abnormalities

Outflow tract evaluation significantly increases prenatal detection rates of congenital heart disease.

Three-Vessel and Trachea View (3VT)

An advanced screening view that enhances recognition of great vessel abnormalities.

Topics Include

• Pulmonary Artery Identification
• Aortic Arch Assessment
• Superior Vena Cava Evaluation
• Vessel Size Relationships
• Tracheal Position
• Aortic Arch Anomalies
• Ductal Arch Assessment

Participants learn how abnormal vessel relationships may indicate significant congenital heart defects.

Congenital Heart Disease Screening

The course emphasizes early recognition of major congenital cardiac abnormalities.

Conditions Discussed

• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Transposition of the Great Arteries
• Ventricular Septal Defects
• Atrial Septal Defects
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Double Outlet Right Ventricle
• Truncus Arteriosus
• Pulmonary Atresia

Importance of Prenatal Cardiac Screening

Congenital heart disease affects approximately 1% of live births and represents one of the leading causes of congenital morbidity.

Early prenatal diagnosis can:

Improve Perinatal Outcomes

• Optimize Delivery Planning
• Facilitate Specialized Neonatal Care
• Improve Surgical Outcomes
• Enhance Family Counseling

Support Risk Assessment

• Genetic Evaluation
• Additional Fetal Imaging
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Referral

Educational Features

Practical Screening Approach

Focuses on cardiac views routinely obtained during obstetric ultrasound examinations.

Systematic Evaluation Techniques

Provides structured protocols that improve consistency and diagnostic accuracy.

Case-Based Learning

Includes examples of both normal and abnormal fetal cardiac findings.

Real-World Clinical Application

Emphasizes skills that can be immediately implemented in everyday obstetric ultrasound practice.

Target Audience

Physicians

• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Radiologists
• Perinatologists
• Pediatric Cardiologists

Sonographers

• Obstetric Sonographers
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
• Fetal Echocardiography Technologists

Advanced Practice Providers

• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants

Trainees

• OB/GYN Residents
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellows
• Ultrasound Students

Why This Course Stands Out

Focused Fetal Cardiac Education

Dedicated specifically to prenatal heart screening and congenital heart disease detection.

Structured Screening Protocols

Teaches reproducible methods for evaluating the fetal heart.

Emphasis on Early Detection

Supports improved identification of congenital cardiac abnormalities.

Practical and Clinically Relevant

Designed for routine obstetric ultrasound practice.

Expert Ultrasound Instruction

Developed by Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute, a recognized leader in ultrasound education.