2018 Fetal Echocardiography: Normal and Abnormal Hearts

Comprehensive Fetal Echocardiography Course for Prenatal Cardiac Diagnosis

Overview

Fetal Echocardiography: Normal and Abnormal Hearts (2018) is a comprehensive educational program dedicated to the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of fetal cardiac abnormalities using advanced prenatal ultrasound and fetal echocardiography techniques.

Presented by an internationally renowned faculty of maternal-fetal medicine specialists, pediatric cardiologists, and fetal imaging experts, this course provides a systematic approach to understanding normal fetal cardiac anatomy, fetal circulation, congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, cardiac function assessment, and prenatal counseling.

Participants learn how to perform detailed fetal cardiac examinations, recognize subtle abnormalities, differentiate normal variants from pathology, and apply evidence-based approaches to prenatal diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease (CHD).

The course is designed to improve prenatal detection rates of cardiac abnormalities and enhance multidisciplinary collaboration between obstetricians, sonographers, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, pediatric cardiologists, and neonatologists.

Course Specifications

Format

• Video Lectures
• Case-Based Learning
• Fetal Echocardiography Demonstrations
• Expert Panel Discussions

Course Year

2018

Educational Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Specialty

Fetal Echocardiography & Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Learning Objectives

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

• Understand normal fetal cardiac anatomy and physiology.
• Perform a systematic fetal echocardiography examination.
• Evaluate standard fetal cardiac screening views.
• Recognize major congenital heart defects prenatally.
• Assess fetal cardiac function and rhythm abnormalities.
• Interpret fetal cardiac Doppler findings.
• Differentiate normal cardiac variants from pathology.
• Understand fetal circulation and hemodynamics.
• Apply prenatal counseling principles for congenital heart disease.
• Improve prenatal detection and management of fetal cardiac abnormalities.

Core Topics Covered

Embryology and Development of the Fetal Heart

A foundational review of cardiac development.

Topics Include

• Cardiac Embryology
• Cardiac Looping
• Septation
• Development of Great Vessels
• Fetal Circulation

Understanding embryologic development helps explain the origin of congenital heart defects.

Normal Fetal Cardiac Anatomy

Comprehensive review of normal fetal echocardiographic findings.

Topics Include

• Cardiac Situs
• Cardiac Axis
• Four-Chamber View
• Ventricular Anatomy
• Atrial Anatomy
• Cardiac Valves
• Great Vessel Relationships

Participants learn to establish a structured approach to normal fetal cardiac assessment.

Standard Fetal Echocardiography Views

Systematic evaluation of essential cardiac imaging planes.

Topics Include

• Four-Chamber View
• Left Ventricular Outflow Tract (LVOT)
• Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT)
• Three-Vessel View
• Three-Vessel Trachea View (3VT)
• Aortic Arch
• Ductal Arch

These views form the foundation of fetal cardiac screening and diagnosis.

Congenital Heart Disease

Extensive review of common and complex fetal cardiac abnormalities.

Conditions Covered

• Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD)
• Atrial Septal Defects (ASD)
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Transposition of the Great Arteries
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Double Outlet Right Ventricle
• Truncus Arteriosus
• Pulmonary Atresia
• Ebstein Anomaly
• Single Ventricle Physiology

Participants learn the sonographic features and prenatal implications of these conditions.

Fetal Cardiac Function

Evaluation of myocardial performance and fetal hemodynamics.

Topics Include

• Ventricular Function
• Myocardial Performance Index
• Cardiac Output Assessment
• Doppler Evaluation
• Heart Failure Assessment

Fetal Arrhythmias

Diagnosis and management of fetal rhythm disturbances.

Topics Include

• Supraventricular Tachycardia
• Atrial Flutter
• Bradyarrhythmias
• Heart Block
• Premature Atrial Contractions
• Premature Ventricular Contractions

Participants learn how fetal echocardiography guides diagnosis and treatment planning.

Doppler Assessment in Fetal Echocardiography

Advanced techniques for evaluating fetal circulation.

Topics Include

• Color Doppler Imaging
• Spectral Doppler Analysis
• Valve Flow Assessment
• Venous Doppler Studies
• Ductus Venosus Evaluation

Fetal Cardiac Tumors and Rare Disorders

Review of uncommon but clinically important fetal cardiac conditions.

Topics Include

• Cardiac Tumors
• Rhabdomyomas
• Cardiomyopathies
• Pericardial Effusions
• Cardiac Masses

Prenatal Counseling and Clinical Management

Practical guidance for communicating fetal cardiac diagnoses.

Topics Include

• Prognostic Assessment
• Delivery Planning
• Multidisciplinary Care
• Neonatal Management
• Family Counseling

Educational Features

Case-Based Learning

Numerous fetal echocardiography cases illustrate:

• Normal Hearts
• Simple Congenital Defects
• Complex Congenital Heart Disease
• Arrhythmias
• Functional Abnormalities

Expert Faculty Instruction

The course combines expertise from internationally recognized leaders in:

• Fetal Echocardiography
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Prenatal Diagnosis

Clinical Focus

Emphasis is placed on practical skills that improve prenatal detection and patient care.

Distinguished Faculty

Alfred Abuhamad

Professor and Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Tracy L. Anton

Ultrasound Practitioner, Maternal-Fetal Care and Genetics

Bettina F. Cuneo

Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics

Jack Rychik

Director, Fetal Heart Program

Norman H. Silverman

Professor of Pediatric Cardiology

Elena Sinkovskaya

Director of Ultrasound Research & Education

Julia E. Solomon

Director, Fetal Diagnostic Center

Target Audience

Physicians

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

Sonographers

• Fetal Echocardiography Sonographers
• Obstetric Sonographers
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Advanced Practice Providers

• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants

Trainees

• MFM Fellows
• OB/GYN Residents
• Pediatric Cardiology Fellows

Why This Course Stands Out

Comprehensive Fetal Cardiology Education

Covers both normal fetal cardiac anatomy and a broad spectrum of congenital heart disease.

World-Class Faculty

Features internationally recognized leaders in fetal cardiology and maternal-fetal medicine.

Practical Diagnostic Approach

Emphasizes systematic fetal heart examination techniques.

Case-Based Learning

Real-world examples reinforce interpretation skills and clinical decision-making.

Ideal for Prenatal Cardiac Screening Programs

Supports improved prenatal detection and management of congenital heart disease.

Program:

Session 1

• The Four Chamber View: Normal Anatomy
  Alfred Abuhamad, M.D.
• The Fetal Circulation and Shunts
  Julia E. Solomon, MDCM, FACOG
• Fetal Cardiac Imaging in Early Gestation
  Alfred Abuhamad, M.D.
• Atrioventricular Septal Defect: Diagnosis and Management
  Elena Sinkovskaya, M.D., Ph.D.
• Do You Know the Answer?
  Elena Sinkovskaya, M.D., Ph.D.

Session 2

• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
  Jack Rychik, M.D.
• Tricuspid Valve Abnormalities: Dysplasia and Atresia
  Bettina F. Cuneo, M.D.
• Ebstein’s Anomaly
  Norman H. Silverman, M.D., D Sc (Med), FACC, FASE, FAHA
• Congestive Heart Failure in the Fetus: Diagnosis and Prognosis
  Elena Sinkovskaya, M.D., Ph.D.

Session 3

• Hands on Scanning Session I: Fetal Cardiac Imaging in Early Gestation
  Alfred Abuhamad, M.D.
• Single Ventricle Anomalies: Prenatal Diagnosis and Prognosis
  Jack Rychik, M.D.
• Fetal Myocardial Noncompaction
  Norman H. Silverman, M.D., D Sc (Med), FACC, FASE, FAHA
• Updates on Management of Pregnancy with Sjogren’s Antibodies
  Bettina F. Cuneo, M.D.
• Case Presentation I
  Jack Rychik, M.D.

Session 4

• Optimizing Fetal Cardiac Images: Gray Scale and Color Doppler
  Tracy L. Anton, BS, RDMS, RDCS
• The Three Vessel Trachea View: Normal and Abnormal Hearts
  Alfred Abuhamad, M.D.
• 3D/4D Ultrasound in Fetal Echocardiography
  Julia E. Solomon, MDCM, FACOG
• Fetal Ectopy and Tachyarrhythmias: Diagnosis and Management
  Bettina F. Cuneo, M.D.

Session 5

• Fetal Isomerism: Clues to Prenatal Diagnosis
  Norman H. Silverman, M.D., D Sc (Med), FACC, FASE, FAHA
• Tetralogy of Fallot and Double Outlet Right Ventricle
  Bettina F. Cuneo, M.D.
• Do You Know the Answer?
  Elena Sinkovskaya, M.D., Ph.D.
• Recognizing the Fetus with Transposition at Risk from a Restrictive Atrial Septum: Physiology and Rationale for Treatment
  Norman H. Silverman, M.D., D Sc (Med), FACC, FASE, FAHA
• Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries
  Elena Sinkovskaya, M.D., Ph.D.

Session 6

• Hands-on Scanning – Session II: The Fetal Echocardiogram – Grey Scale and Color Doppler
  Tracy L. Anton, BS, RDMS, RDCS
• Coarctation of the Aorta and Other Arch Abnormalities
  Elena Sinkovskaya, M.D., Ph.D.
• Approach to the Evaluation of the Systemic Venous System
  Alfred Abuhamad, M.D.
• Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return: Prenatal Diagnosis
  Jack Rychik, M.D.

Session 7

• Case Presentation II
  Julia E. Solomon, MDCM, FACOG
• Panel Discussion – Question and Answer Session: Fetal Ventricular Anomalies and Arrhythmias
  Faculty
• Hands-on Scanning – Session III: The Use of Three and Four-Dimensional Ultrasound in Cardiac Imaging
  Julia E. Solomon, MDCM, FACOG
• Panel Discussion – Question and Answer Session: Conotruncal and Venous abnormalities
  Faculty

Session 8

• Standard Fetal Echocardiography: Protocols and Techniques
  Tracy L. Anton, BS, RDMS, RDCS
• Evaluations of Extra Cardiac Anomalies Associated with Congenital Heart Disease
  Julia E. Solomon, MDCM, FACOG
• Genetic Aspects of Congenital Heart Disease
  Alfred Abuhamad, M.D.
• Prenatal Counseling After Detection of Congenital Heart Disease: What to Say and How to Say It
  Jack Rychik, M.D.

Session 9

• Do You Know the Answer?
  Alfred Abuhamad, M.D.
• Case Presentation III
  Elena Sinkovskaya, M.D., Ph.D.
• Putting it All Together: Top Anatomic Regions in the Fetal Heart
  Alfred Abuhamad, M.D.