Three‐dimensional quantitative echocardiographic assessment of ventricular volume in healthy human fetuses with and in fetuses with congenital heart disease

We examined the feasibility and appearance of 3D fetal echo assessment of ventricular volumes in 29 normal fetuses and 22 fetuses with congenital heart disease (gestation 18–35 weeks). Gated 3D volume sets could be obtained in 51 of 57 cases. Normal right and left ventricular volume, stroke volume data, and RV/LV ratios were obtained, together with normal changes with gestation. In patients with congenital heart disease, those with a biventricular heart (index lesion teratology of Fallot) demonstrated normal combined ventricular volumes and right/left volume ratios for gestation age. Fetuses with single ventricular heart with intact septum (hypoplastic left or right heart) demonstrated a small but significant reduction in combined ventricular size and stroke volume for gestation age.