Fetal Cardiac Imaging and Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect, affecting 1 in 110 births [1] . About a quarter of infants with complex CHD do not survive their first year. Because most cases occur in low-risk pregnancies, detection often relies on obstetric providers identifying cardiac abnormalities during routine obstetric ultrasound, yet prenatal detection rates remain variable [2] .
Fetal echocardiography enables early diagnosis, offering critical insights into cardiac structure and function that can guide prenatal management, delivery planning, and postnatal care.
During Day 2 of the Obstetrics Days, which focuses on fetal cardiac imaging, we will review best practices in fetal cardiac assessment, highlight common CHD findings on second- and third-trimester scans, and explore advanced imaging techniques that support earlier detection in specialist settings.
Fetal echocardiography enables early diagnosis, offering critical insights into cardiac structure and function that can guide prenatal management, delivery planning, and postnatal care.
During Day 2 of the Obstetrics Days, which focuses on fetal cardiac imaging, we will review best practices in fetal cardiac assessment, highlight common CHD findings on second- and third-trimester scans, and explore advanced imaging techniques that support earlier detection in specialist settings.
Canon Medical Academy
Obstetrics Days
Webinar | Day 2 | Fetal Cardiac
November 5 | 7pm (CET)
Day 2 | Fetal Cardiac Imaging
Ultrasound
November 5, 7 pm (CET) / 1 pm (EST)
Mark your calendar and join Dr. Trisha Vigneswaran, and Dr. Vita Zidere as they discuss recognizing common fetal cardiac abnormalities and their anatomical, genetic, and extracardiac associations.
Register now for this second appointment with the Obstetrics Days, the webinar series made possible by the Canon Medical Academy.
Program
November 5, 7 pm (CET) / 1 pm (EST)
Mark your calendar and join Dr. Trisha Vigneswaran, and Dr. Vita Zidere as they discuss recognizing common fetal cardiac abnormalities and their anatomical, genetic, and extracardiac associations.
Register now for this second appointment with the Obstetrics Days, the webinar series made possible by the Canon Medical Academy.
Program
- Introduction | Dr. Trisha Vigneswaran
- Common Fetal Cardiac Anomalies | Dr. Trisha Vigneswaran
- Evaluating the Fetal Heart in Early Gestation | Dr. Vita Zidere
- Live Q&A moderated by Dr. Trisha Vigneswaran
- Learn how to recognize common fetal cardiac abnormalities
- Understand the anatomical, genetic, and extracardiac associations of common fetal cardiac abnormalities
- Learn how early fetal echocardiography can improve the detection of major cardiac abnormalities before the routine anomaly scan
- Participate in the live Q&A to find answers to your questions
Speakers and Presentations
Moderator: Dr. Trisha Vigneswaran, MBBS BSc(Hons), MD(res), MRCPCH Consultant in Fetal and Pediatric Cardiology
Evelina London Children's Hospital
London, UK
Presentation: Common Fetal Cardiac Anomalies
The focus will be on the common fetal cardiac diagnoses seen on the second and third trimester ultrasound scans.
The anatomical features, differential diagnosis, genetic and extracardiac associations, and the importance of perinatal planning will be discussed.
Evelina London Children's Hospital
London, UK
Presentation: Common Fetal Cardiac Anomalies
The focus will be on the common fetal cardiac diagnoses seen on the second and third trimester ultrasound scans.
The anatomical features, differential diagnosis, genetic and extracardiac associations, and the importance of perinatal planning will be discussed.
Speaker: Dr. Vita Zidere, MD, FRCP Consultant in Fetal and Pediatric Cardiology
Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
London, UK
Presentation: Evaluating the Fetal Heart in Early Gestation
Early fetal cardiac assessment requires advanced scanning expertise and is typically offered within specialist fetal medicine or cardiology units. It is not currently part of routine prenatal screening programs. Nonetheless, early evaluation of the fetal heart can provide valuable reassurance or enable the timely diagnosis of congenital cardiac abnormalities, which may prompt further investigation.
First-trimester echocardiography is capable of identifying the majority of major cardiac defects, although some lesions may continue to evolve later in gestation. Early diagnosis facilitates appropriate genetic testing, multidisciplinary counselling, and perinatal planning, while also supporting informed parental decision-making.
This presentation outlines the technique of early fetal echocardiography and reviews first-trimester sonographic markers associated with congenital heart disease.
Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
London, UK
Presentation: Evaluating the Fetal Heart in Early Gestation
Early fetal cardiac assessment requires advanced scanning expertise and is typically offered within specialist fetal medicine or cardiology units. It is not currently part of routine prenatal screening programs. Nonetheless, early evaluation of the fetal heart can provide valuable reassurance or enable the timely diagnosis of congenital cardiac abnormalities, which may prompt further investigation.
First-trimester echocardiography is capable of identifying the majority of major cardiac defects, although some lesions may continue to evolve later in gestation. Early diagnosis facilitates appropriate genetic testing, multidisciplinary counselling, and perinatal planning, while also supporting informed parental decision-making.
This presentation outlines the technique of early fetal echocardiography and reviews first-trimester sonographic markers associated with congenital heart disease.
Discover More About the Speaker
Discover More About the Moderator and Speakers
Dr. Trisha Vigneswaran, MBBS BSc(Hons), MD(res), MRCPCH Dr. Trisha Vigneswaran has been a consultant in pediatric and fetal cardiology at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, since 2016. She diagnoses and manages fetuses and children with all types of congenital heart disease and is Clinical Lead for fetal cardiology at Evelina.
She developed and leads the maternal hyperoxygenation program and the vascular ring program. Dr. Vigneswaran is involved in several national and international research collaborations. Her special interests include coarctation of the aorta (the focus of her research degree), fetal arrhythmias, functional assessment of the heart, transposition of the great arteries, and the use of maternal hyperoxygenation to improve perinatal management in congenital heart disease. She has published more than 65 peer-reviewed papers and holds a leadership position in the British Fetal Cardiac Association.
Dr. Vita Zidere, MD, FRCP Dr. Vita Zidere is a consultant in pediatric and fetal cardiology at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
She obtained her medical degree from Riga Stradins University in 1994 and completed specialist training in pediatric and fetal cardiology at the University Children’s Hospital in Riga, Guy’s Hospital in London, and Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Centre, Babies Hospital, New York, USA.
Dr. Zidere is co-editor of the Fetal Cardiology Handbook and has contributed multiple chapters to leading textbooks in fetal medicine and pediatric cardiology. She has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, with a primary focus on the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease.
View the Other Obstetrics Days
References
Disclaimers
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