2020 Fetal Echocardiography: Normal and Abnormal Hearts

Comprehensive Review of Fetal Cardiac Ultrasound, Congenital Heart Disease & Prenatal Diagnosis

2020 Fetal Echocardiography: Normal and Abnormal Hearts is a comprehensive CME program designed to provide healthcare professionals with advanced training in fetal cardiac imaging, prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease, and fetal echocardiography interpretation. Developed by Educational Symposia, this course delivers an in-depth review of normal fetal cardiac anatomy, ultrasound optimization techniques, Doppler evaluation, and the identification of a wide range of congenital cardiac abnormalities.

Through expert-led lectures and case-based learning, participants gain practical knowledge for performing and interpreting fetal echocardiography studies, improving diagnostic accuracy, and enhancing prenatal counseling and management. The program covers both normal and abnormal fetal cardiac findings, emphasizing a systematic approach to fetal heart examination and the early detection of congenital heart defects.

This educational activity is ideal for physicians and imaging specialists involved in maternal-fetal medicine, pediatric cardiology, radiology, obstetric ultrasound, and fetal imaging who wish to strengthen their expertise in fetal cardiac assessment and prenatal diagnosis.

Course Overview

Congenital heart disease remains one of the most common congenital abnormalities detected during pregnancy. Early diagnosis through fetal echocardiography allows for improved prenatal counseling, delivery planning, postnatal management, and patient outcomes.

This course provides a structured review of fetal cardiac anatomy, ultrasound imaging techniques, and congenital heart disease evaluation. Participants will learn how to optimize imaging protocols, interpret normal and abnormal findings, recognize complex congenital cardiac malformations, and apply current guidelines for fetal echocardiography.

The program also addresses patient counseling, indications for fetal echocardiography, Doppler imaging applications, and contemporary approaches to fetal cardiac diagnosis.

Learning Objectives

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

• Discuss current indications and guidelines for fetal echocardiography.
• Apply effective patient counseling strategies related to fetal cardiac findings.
• Optimize ultrasound equipment for fetal cardiac imaging using 2D and Doppler techniques.
• Identify normal fetal cardiac anatomy and circulation.
• Recognize abnormalities of the fetal venous system.
• Diagnose septal defects and ventricular abnormalities.
• Evaluate congenital anomalies affecting the right and left ventricles.
• Identify outflow tract abnormalities including transposition of the great arteries.
• Recognize Tetralogy of Fallot and related congenital cardiac defects.
• Assess aortic arch abnormalities and other complex congenital heart diseases.
• Improve prenatal detection and diagnostic accuracy in fetal cardiology.

Key Topics Covered

Fetal Echocardiography Fundamentals

• Indications for fetal echocardiography
• Current practice guidelines
• Prenatal counseling strategies
• Imaging protocols

Ultrasound Optimization

• 2D fetal cardiac imaging
• Doppler techniques
• Equipment optimization
• Image acquisition and interpretation

Normal Fetal Cardiac Anatomy

• Cardiac chambers
• Cardiac circulation
• Four-chamber view
• Outflow tract assessment

Venous System Abnormalities

• Systemic venous anomalies
• Pulmonary venous abnormalities
• Venous return disorders

Septal & Chamber Abnormalities

• Atrial septal defects
• Ventricular septal defects
• Right ventricular anomalies
• Left ventricular anomalies

Outflow Tract Disorders

• Transposition of the great arteries
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Double outlet right ventricle
• Conotruncal abnormalities

Aortic Arch & Great Vessel Anomalies

• Coarctation of the aorta
• Interrupted aortic arch
• Arch abnormalities
• Great vessel malformations

Congenital Heart Disease Diagnosis

• Prenatal cardiac screening
• Diagnostic algorithms
• Risk assessment
• Clinical management planning

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists
• Obstetricians & Gynecologists
• Pediatric Cardiologists
• Radiologists
• Fetal Imaging Specialists
• Sonographers
• Ultrasound Physicians
• Pediatricians
• Cardiology Fellows
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellows
• Residents and Trainees

Why This Course Stands Out

✔ Comprehensive fetal echocardiography review

✔ Normal and abnormal fetal heart assessment

✔ Prenatal congenital heart disease diagnosis

✔ Advanced Doppler imaging techniques

✔ Practical case-based learning

✔ Evidence-based imaging protocols

✔ Expert faculty instruction

✔ Focus on prenatal counseling and management

✔ Board-review and clinical practice value

✔ CME-accredited educational content

Accreditation

• Up to 16.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• ACCME Accredited CME Activity
• ABR SA-CME Eligible
• Qualifies for Maintenance of Certification (MOC)

Topics/Speaker:

1. New National Guidelines for Fetal Echocardiography A Sneak Preview

2. Fetal Echocardiography How to Optimize the Ultrasound Examination

3. Screening for Cardiac Malformations in the First & Second Trimesters of Pregnancy

4. Normal Cardiac Anatomy the Cardiac Chambers

5. Just Images & Movie Clips Do You Know the Diagnosis

6. Anomalies of the Cardiac Chambers 1 Atrial & Ventricular Septal Defects

7. Anomalies of the Cardiac Chambers 2 Atrioventricular Septal Defects

8. Anomalies of the Cardiac Chambers 3 Abnormal Right Ventricle

9. Anomalies of the Cardiac Chambers 4 Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

10. Hands on Scanning Session I Fetal Echocardiography Gray Scale & Color Doppler

11. Anomalies of the Cardiac Chambers 5 Single Ventricle-Type Congenital Heart Disease

12. Neurodevelopment Outcome of the At-Risk Fetus with CHD

13. Case Presentation I

14. Fetal Ectopy and Tachyarrhythmias Diagnosis & Management

15. Hands on Scanning – Session II Fetal Echocardiography Evaluation of Cardiac Rhythm

16. Panel Discussion 1

17. Tips & Tricks of Fetal Echocardiography

18. Role of Fetal Cardiac Evaluation in Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

19. Normal Cardiac Anatomy The Outflow Tracts

20. Normal Cardiac Anatomy The Three Vessel Trachea View

21. Just Images & Movie Clips Do You Know the Diagnosis

22. Anomalies of the Great Vessels 1 Tetralogy of Fallot

23. Anomalies of the Great Vessels 2 Double Outlet Right Ventricle

24. Anomalies of the Great Vessels 3 Transposition & Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries

25. Anomalies of the Great Vessels 4 Aortic Arch Abnormalities

26. Hands-on Scanning – Session III Fetal Echocardiography Biometric Measurements & Pulsed Doppler

27. Anomalies of Pulmonary Veins

28. Anomalies of Systemic Veins

29. Prenatal Counseling after Detection of Congenial Heart Disease

30. Case Presentation II

31. Hands-on Scanning – Session IV Fetal Echocardiography Imaging in Early Gestation

32. Panel Discussion 2

33. Introduction to the Fetal Heart Society

34. Current tool for Assessment of Cardiac Function

35. Cardiac Imaging in the First Trimester

36. Update on Sjogrens Antibodies & Fetal Heart Block

37. Just Images & Movie Clips Do You Know the Diagnosis

38. Pearls in Cardiac Imaging Putting it All Together

39. Case Presentation III

40. Panel Discussion 3

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