A Primer for Fetal Cardiac Imaging
A Stepwise Approach for 2-Dimensional Imaging
(Ultrasound Quarterly 2008;24:195Y206)
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and the Intern
ational Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology outlined
recent guidelines for sonographic evaluation of the fetal heart. The
International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology gui
delines include the “basic”cardiac examination that relies on a 4-cha
mber view.There are key features of this sonographic view that will
be emphasized in this article. This society also included the “exten
ded basic” examination that includes the right and left ventricular o
ut-flow tracts (RVOTand LVOT, respectively). It is important to inclu
de imaging that demonstrates the relationship of the LVOT and the
RVOT to detect conotruncal abnormalities.
美国超声医学协会(AIUM)和国际妇产科超声协会最近针对胎儿心脏超声
检查出台了一项指南。国际妇产科超声协会指南包括了基于四腔心切面的
最基本的心脏检查,其中重点强调了在此超声切面上的几个关键征象,同
时指南还包括了“进一步”的检查,包括对左右心室流出道(RVOT和 LVOT)
的检查,明确两者的关系对于发现圆锥动脉干畸形非常重要。
Depending on technical factors, such as maternal body habitus, feta
l age, or fetal position, demonstrating the relationship of the RVOT
and the LVOT may be problematic. Alternatives to routine 2-dimensi
onal (2-D) imaging of out-flow tracts include the use of 3-D imagin
g technologies including the use of dynamic multiplanar imaging. Ev
en with advanced imaging and the ability to reconstruct images in
different planes, the examiner must be familiar with routine cardiac
views or failure of detection of CHD may still occur. Thus, understa
nding basic cardiac views is necessary to detecting CHD even with
more advanced imaging. We will concentrate on a method to best
understand these basic views, such as the 4-chamber or outflow tra
ct views, as a springboard to more advanced cardiac imaging. An al
ternative to these views is a comprehensive examination of the feta
l heart, which may be obtained using 4 to 5 short-axis views of th
e heart. These 5 planes include (1) the stomach; (2) the 4-chambe
r view of the heart; (3) the 5-chamber view of the heart; (4) the
pulmonary artery (PA) bifurcation; and (5) the alignment of the 3 v
essels, which are the PA, aorta, and superior vena cava (SVC).
由于一些技术上的原因,比如母体的体质、胎龄或者胎儿体位等因素的影
响,有时显示 ROVT和 LOVT的关系比较的困难。除了可以通过常规二维
图像来显示流出道外,还可以应用三维影像技术包括使用多维动态图像技
术来显示流出道。即便是具备了先进的影像技术和不同平面图像重建的技
能,检查者还必须要掌握常规的心脏切面,否则仍有可能无法发现先天性
心脏病。因此,即便是有了很多先进的影像技术,但如果要发现先天性心
脏病仍然需要掌握基本的心脏切面。我们概括了一种最好的方法来理解这
些基本的切面比如四腔心切面和流出道切面,这种方法可以作为其他先进
的心脏影像技术的跳板。除了这些切面之外,我们还需要对胎儿心脏进行
其他的广泛细致的检查,我们可以通过 4到 5个短轴切面来获取,包括胃
泡、四腔心切面、五腔心切面、肺动脉分叉以及三血管排列(肺动脉、主
动脉和上腔静脉)。
A useful mnemonic to help In the basic evaluation of the fetal heart is
PASSSS. Each letter is meant to serve as a memory aid as
follows :position, axis, size, symmetry, septum, and squeeze. If each of
these cardiac features is evaluated and considered normal, the examiner
can evaluate the 4-chamber view of the fetal heart PASSSS as normal
(Table 1).
在胎儿心脏的基础的检查中我们可以通过 PASSSS 这个词来进行记忆,每
个字母可作为一个检查的要点:位置、轴向、大小、对称轴、间隔和压缩。
如果检查者能够发现心脏的每一个征象并认为正常,那么他可以认为在胎
儿四腔心切面上它是正常的。
TABLE 1. The PASSSS Mnemonic for the 4-Chamber Vessel 四腔心切面的
PASSSS记忆法
Position Determine correct situs 位置 确定位置是否正常,有无反位
Axis Determine that the interventricular septum is 40 to 45 degrees 轴:
确定室间隔的角度在 40-45度
Size Make sure that the heart is approximately one third of the fetal
thorax 大小:确定心脏的大小是胎儿胸腔的三分之一左右
Symmetry Generally, the diameters of the right and left ventricles have a
1:1 ratio 对称性:通常情况下,左右心室的直径为 1:1
Septum Check the entire septum for possible ductal defects 间隔:检查
整个间隔明确是否存在可能的缺损
Sinus rhythm Check cardiac rate and rhythm 窦性节律:检查心律和心率。
Position 位置
In evaluating the fetal heart, the fetal presentation should first be
documented. Then, the examiner must determine if the fetus’ left side is
up or down. Lastly, the stomach side and its relationship to the heart side
should be assessed. Simply put, situs solitus is the normal relationship,
with the stomach on the left and the left atrium on the left side of the
fetus. Situs inversus is the exact mirror image of situs solitus, with the
stomach on the left but the left atrium on the right. Situs ambiguous is an
anatomically indeterminate type of visceral situs, which is part of the
heterotaxy syndromes. 胎儿心脏检查时首先我们要明确胎儿的胎位,然
后必须要确定胎儿的左侧是在上还是在下,最后要明确胃泡在哪边以及胃
泡和心脏的位置关系。简单的说,心脏正位是正常的关系,胃泡和左心房
位于胎儿的左侧。心脏反位是心脏正位的镜像面,胃泡位于左侧但左心房
位于右侧。心脏不定位是一种解剖学上的内脏位置不明确的类型,它属于
器官变异综合症的一部分。
After determining the situs (or position), a 4-chamber view of the heart is
obtained (Table 2). This is done by identifying the fetal thoracic spine,
and a scan is obtained transverse to the thorax. Anatomically, the right
ventricle is posterior to the sternum, and the left ventricle is to the left of
the right ventricle or at the same side as the stomach. Identifying
features unique to the right ventricle include its retrosternal location,
lower insertion of the tricuspid valve compared with the mitral valve, and
a thicker moderator band. The flap of the foramen ovale opens from the
right atrium into the left atrium.
在明确了心脏的位置之后我们可以来看一下四腔心切面(表 2)。我们可以
通过辨认胎儿胸椎然后对胸腔进行横切面扫面获得四腔心切面。从解剖学
上来说,右心室位于胸骨的后方,左心室在右心室的左侧或者和胃泡同在
一侧。右心室独有的征象包括与胸骨的关系、三尖瓣的附着点比二尖瓣低
以及粗大的调节束。卵圆孔瓣从右心房向左心房开放。
TABLE 2. Identification of Right and Left Ventricles From the 4-Chamber
View
View Right Ventricle Left Ventricle
Position within thorax Right ventricle retrosternal Left border, same side
as the stomach
Flap of foramen ovale Present within the left atrium
Insertion of AV valve leaflets on interventricular sternum Tricuspid valve
inserted lower than the mitral valve Mitral valve inserted higher than the
tricuspid valve
Muscle Thicker moderator band
Veins SVC + IVC Pulmonary veins
IVC indicates inferior vena cava.
Modified from DeVore and Polanko.
四腔心切面上鉴别左右心室
切面 右心室 左心室
胸腔内的位置 右心室位于胸骨后方 左心室位于左边和胃泡同处一侧
卵圆瓣 ---- 出现在左房内
房室瓣在室间隔上的附着点 三尖瓣的附着点低于二尖瓣 二尖瓣的附着
点高于三尖瓣
肌层 可见调节束 ---
静脉 上下腔静脉 肺静脉
Axis 心轴
Once a 4-chamber view of the heart is obtained, a line is drawn from the
spine to the anterior sternum. The interventricular septum intersects that
line at 40 to 45 degrees. Shipp et al 13 found a normal cardiac axis of 43
degrees, with an SD of 7 degrees (Fig.. 1). Abnormal cardiac axis can be
an indicator of extracardiac intrathoracic abnormalities, displacing the
heart. Examples include pulmonary cystic adenomatoid malformation,
diaphragmatic hernia, or intrathoracic pulmonary sequestration. Axis
deviation is also seen in intracardiac abnormalities. Examples include
Ebstein anomaly and tetralogy of Fallot.
在获取了四腔心切面后我们可以从脊柱到前面的胸骨画一条线,室间隔与
之成 40-45°的角。Shipping等人发现正常心轴为 43°,SD为 7°(图 1)。
心轴异常可能表明存在心外的胸腔内异常挤压心脏,比如肺脏的囊性腺瘤
样畸形、膈疝或者胸腔隔离肺。心轴的偏转也可以是由于心内的异常导致,
比如 Ebstein畸形和 Fallot四联征。
FIGURE 1. Four-chamber view of the heart. The 4-chamber view of the
heart in the transaxial plane shows the spine noted posteriorly. A line is
drawn from the spine to the anterior sternum. The interventricular
septum intersects that line at approximately 45 degrees. Note that the RA
lies to the right side of the spinal sternal line. The heart can be noted to
occupy approximately one third of the fetal thorax. RA indicates right
atrium.
图 1 四腔心切面。在心脏轴向的四腔心切面上我们可以看到脊柱位于后
方,从脊柱到前方的胸骨画一条线,室间隔与此线大约呈 45°。我们可以
看到 RA位于脊柱胸骨线的右侧,心脏大约占整个胎儿胸腔的三分之一。
Size 大小
This is to assess the size of the fetal heart in relation to the fetal t
horax. The cardiac area is approximately one third of the thoracic a
rea (Fig. 1). Simply put, approximately 3 fetal hearts can normally
fit into the fetal thorax. A small heart can be attributed to extrinsic
mass compressing the heart. There are many causes for fetal cardi
omegaly. Intrinsic cardiac anomalies include Ebstein anomaly, cardio
myopathies, or cardiac tumors, most commonly rhabdomyomas.
胎儿心脏的大小要看和胸腔的关系,心脏的面积大约是胸腔面积的三分之
一(图 1)。简单的说,正常情况下一个胸腔大约能放置三个心脏。心脏
过小可能是由于心外的肿块挤压心脏,而心脏增大的原因很多,心内的异
常有 Ebstein畸形、心肌病变或者心脏肿瘤(最常见的是横纹肌瘤)。
Symmetry 对称性
This refers to the symmetric size of the ventricles. Generally, the
diameters of the right and left ventricles maintain about a 1:1 ratio (Fig.
2). With the diameter of the right ventricle slightly larger than that of the
left ventricle, real-time examination can be used as a rough estimate of
ventricular chamber size. Most common anomalies are the hypoplasia of
either the left or right side of the heart. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is
composed of findings including underdevelopment of the aorta, the aortic
valve, the left ventricle, or the mitral valve. Right ventricle hypoplasia can
be attributed to 1 of 2 anomalies: pulmonary atresia or tricuspid atresia
with or without an intact ventricular septum. There are multiple other
etiologies of chamber discrepancy beyond the scope of this review.
对称性是指心室大小对称,通常情况下,左右心室的直径保持大约 1:1的
比例(图 2)。当右室直径比左室略大的话,实时检查可以大体的估测心室
的腔径。最常见的异常是心脏左侧或右侧的发育不良,左心发育不全综合
症包括有主动脉、主动脉瓣膜、左心室或二尖瓣的发育不全。右心发育不
全可能是由于 1-2种异常导致:肺动脉闭锁或三尖瓣闭锁合并或不合并室
间隔完整。除此之外,还有很多种其他的原因导致腔径的不对称。
FIGURE 2. Four-chamber view of the heart. Note that the diameter of the
RV is approximately equal to that of the LV at the AV valve level. RV
indicates right ventricle; LV, left ventricle.
四腔心切面。在房室瓣水平 RV的直径与 LV大约是相等的
Septum 间隔
Evaluation for a septal defect is best performed on the 4-chamber heart
view that is obtained perpendicular to the interventricular septum. This
allows adequate visualization of the membranous portion of this septum,
which can suffer from drop-out artifact if imaging is performed parallel to
the interventricular septum. There are 3 basic types of septal defects.
Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) can be small or large. The smaller ones
are hard to detect and can occur in perimembranous location just below
the aortic valve. Color Doppler may be helpful with this diagnosis. Atrial
septal defects can be quite difficult to detect because of the normal
foramen ovale. The atrioventricular (AV) canal defects result from the
absence of the endocardial cushion. In this situation, the normal lower
insertion of the tricuspid valve compared with the mitral valve is not
observed, but rather there is a “T” configuration with the residual mitral
and tricuspid valve inserting at the same level but with no interventricular
septum (Fig.3). Color flow imaging allows easier recognition of
ventricular defects.
检查室间隔时最好选取与室间隔垂直的四腔心切面,这样能非常清楚的看
到室间隔的膜部,可以避免因声束与室间隔平行时出现的衰减伪像。间隔
缺损有三种基本类型。室间隔缺损大小不一,较小的缺损难以发现,可发
生在主动脉瓣下的膜周部。彩色多普勒有助于明确诊断。房间隔缺损非常
难以发现,因为存在正常的卵圆孔。房室通道是由于心内膜垫缺损导致的,
发生这种情况时我们看不到正常情况下的三尖瓣附着点低于二尖瓣,而是
残存的二尖瓣和三尖瓣附着点在同一水平呈 T型结构,但不与室间隔相连
接(图 3)。彩色血流图像可以很容易的看到室间隔的缺损。
FIGURE 3. Valve insertion. This diagram illustrates that the tricuspid valve
lies closer to the apex than does the mitral valve. In an AV canal, these
valves form a ‘‘T,’’ along with lack of the interventricular septum.
瓣膜附着点。示意图显示三尖瓣距离心尖要比二尖瓣近。当出现房室通道
时,瓣膜与缺损的室间隔呈 T型。
Squeeze 节律
This refers to assessing the normal fetal cardiac rhythm. The normal fetal
cardiac rhythm is regular, with a 1:1 atrial-ventricular relationship. The
heart rate increases rapidly in early gestation until it reaches the peak
rate of 175 beats/min (SD, 20 beats/min) at approximately 8 weeks.
Then, the heart rate gradually decreases to 140 beats/min (SD, 20
beats/min) at 20 weeks and 130 beats/min (SD, 20 beats/min) toward
term. Fetal rhythm abnormalities include (1) irregularity of the cardiac
rhythm, (2) abnormally slow or fast heart rate, or (3) combination of the
two. M-mode ultrasound is most commonly used to document fetal
cardiac rate and rhythm. M-mode line placement becomes important to
simultaneously assess the atrial and ventricular walls to record the
sequence of their systolic wall motions. The M-mode beam direction is
placed through the atrial and ventricular walls immediately above and
below the AV junction. At this location, the M-modes of the atrium and
the ventricle are displayed together, allowing assessment of atrial
contraction and conduction to the ventricles. In brief, most common
causes of fetal arrhythmias include premature atrial contractions and
brief sinus tachycardia/bradycardia. Less common arrhythmias include
complete AV block and supraventricular tachycardia. Fetal rhythm
abnormalities affect at least 2% of pregnancies and are a common
reason for referral to fetal cardiologists.
这里指的是检查胎儿心律是否正常。正常的胎儿心律是规整的,房室比例
为 1:1。妊娠的早期心率会快速增高,8周的时候可以达到 175bpm(SD,
20bpm),到 20 周的时候逐渐的降到 140bpm(SD,20bpm),足妊时为
135bpm(SD,20bpm)。胎儿心律异常包括(1)心律不规整,(2)异常
过缓或过速,或者(3)两者都存在。M 型超声对于发现胎儿心律和心率
异常非常有用,要注意 M取样线放置的位置保证能同时监测心房和心室壁
在收缩期的室壁运动的顺序。M型超声的取样线要在紧邻房室交界处的上
方和下方并同时经过心房和心室壁,这样的话心房和心室的 M波形才能同
时显示出来从而能观察到心房的收缩和向心室的传导。简单的说,胎儿心
律失常最常见的病因包括房性期前收缩和短暂的窦性心动过速和心动过
缓,少见的情况还包括房室阻滞和室上性心动过速。胎儿心律失常至少出
现在 2%的妊娠中,也是常见的进行胎儿心脏检查的原因。
The PASSSS mnemonic is helpful as a basic evaluation of the 4-chamber
heart view.
PASSSS记忆法对于四腔心切面的基本检查有帮助。
OUTFLOW VIEWS 流出道切面
To improve sensitivity of CHD, long-axis views of the outflow tracts are
obtained, with the interventricular septum perpendicular to the
transducer beam. The left ventricular long-axis view of the fetal heart is
obtained by rotating the transducer approximately 45 degrees from the
4-chamber view to angle from the fetal abdominal left upper quadrant
toward the right shoulder (Fig. 4). This view will demonstrate the aorta
originating from the left ventricle.
我们还可以通过观察流出道的长轴切面来提高 CHD 的检出率,在这个切
面上,室间隔与探头的声束方向是垂直的。在四腔心切面上将探头旋转 45
度使得探头从胎儿上腹部指向右肩就可以获得左室长轴切面(图 4)。在
此切面上可以显示起源于左心室的主动脉。
This view is also useful in the visualization of the membranous portion of
the interventricular septum. Once the aortic outflow tract is identified,
the transducer is “rocked” slightly. This view should demonstrate the
main PA exiting the right ventricle. The main PA and the ascending aorta
should be perpendicular to each other, or demonstrated to “crisscross”,
to exclude conotruncal anomalies such as transposition of the great
arteries. When demonstrating the longaxis views of the outflow tracts, it
is necessary to confirm crisscrossing of the vessels (Fig. 4). If this proves
difficult, defining the anatomic features of the vessels is important. The
aorta should be traced originating from the left ventricle to the proximal
arch, with demonstration of the takeoffs of the great vessels to the head
and neck. Similarly, the main PA should be demonstrated to arise from
the right ventricle; it must be noted to bifurcate.
通过这个切面有助于显示室间隔的膜部。当我们看到主动脉流出道时将探
头轻轻一动就可以显示出与右心室相连的主肺动脉。主肺动脉和升主动脉
相互垂直或者说呈“十字交叉”就可以排除动脉圆锥的异常,比如大动脉转
位。当显示出流出道的长轴切面时我们需要确定血管的十字交叉情况(图
4)。如果有困难,那么我们可以根据血管的解剖特性来确定。主动脉与
左心室相连然后延伸为主动脉弓,其分支走向头颈部。同时,主肺动脉起
源于右心室,并且一定可以看到分叉。
FIGURE 4. A-E, Outflow tracts apex perpendicular to the ultrasound beam.
A, Interventricular septum perpendicular to the ultrasound beam. B,
Normal 4 chambers of the heart, with the interventricular septum
perpendicular to the ultrasound beam. C, After performing a 4-chamber
view of the heart, the transducer is placed at an angle between the left
upper quadrant of the abdomen and the right shoulder. D, By changing
from the 4-chamber view of the heart to a more oblique scan plane, the
aorta is noted exiting the LV, which was noted exiting to the aorta
(arrow). E, The transducer is rotated as the PA is seen to exit from the RV
(arrow) and cross-perpendicular to the LVOT.
图 4. A-E,流出道与声束垂直。A,室间隔与声束垂直。B,正常的四腔心
切面,室间隔与声束垂直。C,在四腔心切面检查之后将探头由左上腹指
向右肩部。D,从四腔心切面转变到倾斜的扫描平面上可以看到左心室与
主动脉相互通联(箭头)。E,旋转探头可以看到起源于右心室的肺动脉
(箭头)与左室流出道呈十字交叉。
When the apex of the heart is “up” or pointed parallel to the ultrasound
beam, then it may be more difficult to identify the outflow tracts to
crisscross. In this situation, the LVOT is again obtained, but often
short-axis view must be obtained to identify the RVOT. In this view, the
aorta lies centrally, and the right ventricle and PA "wrap around" the
aorta. It is important in this view to identify that the vessel originating
from the right ventricle is the PA by noting that it bifurcates (Fig. 5).
如果心尖上翘或者是与声束平行的话就更难以确定流出道是否相互交叉
排列,在这种情况下可以看到左室流出道,但常常是在短轴切面上才能看
到右室流出道。在此切面上,主动脉位于中央,而右心室和肺动脉“环绕”
在其周围,重要的是我们可以从此切面上通过观察与右室相连的血管是否
分叉来确定是否为肺动脉(图 5)。
In a review of transposition of the great vessels (TGA) findings, McGahan
et al described the "baby bird’s beak" sign. This occurs when the main PA
arising from the left ventricle is noted to bifurcate and thus is the PA. If
the crisscrossing of the main PA and aorta is not demonstrated, then this
view may be useful. When the main PA originating from the left ventricle
is noted to bifurcate, the left branch makes a sharp angle with the main
PA and ductus arteriosus, reminiscent of a baby bird’s head with an open
beak. This is a critical clue that there is TGA.
McGahan等人在对大动脉转位(TGA)的回顾中提出了“小鸟嘴征”,这种
情况发生时肺动脉起源于左心室并且分叉所以可以确定它是肺动脉,如果
我们不能发现主肺动脉和主动脉的十字交叉,那么可以通过这个切面来观
察。当我们看到主肺动脉起源于左心室并且分叉时,左肺动脉与主肺动脉
和动脉导管成锐角,构成了小鸟头部和张开的鸟嘴。这种征象强烈提示为
TGA。
FIGURE 5. Outflow tracts-apex up. A, Interventricular septum is parallel
to the ultrasound beam. B, The 4-chamber view of the heart with the
apex up. Note that the tricuspid valve is closer to the apex (arrow)
compared with the mitral valve, as illustrated in Figure 3. C, This
long-axis view demonstrates the retrosternal location of the RV and the
AO originating from LV. This view is also helpful to detect membranous
VSDs. D, With the apex of the heart again pointed toward the transducer,
the transducer is angled at almost 90 degrees from the long-axis plane.
In this view, the circular aorta is noted centrally. The RV gives rise to the
main PA. AO indicates aorta.
图 5. 流出道-心尖上翘。A,室间隔与声束平行。B,四腔心切面显示心尖
上翘,我们可以看到就像图 3中所看到的三尖瓣(箭头)比二尖瓣更靠近
心尖。C,长轴切面显示右心室位于胸骨后方,主动脉起源于左心室。此
切面还有助于发现室间隔膜部缺损。D,在心尖指向探头的情况下,探头
从左室长轴面调整 90°。在这个切面上,圆形的主动脉位于中央,右心室
延伸为主肺动脉。
COMPREHENSIVE 5 SHORT-AXIS VIEWS 更进一步的 5个短轴切
面
A comprehensive examination of the fetal heart using 5 short-axis v
iews has been advocated. These are best obtained with the interve
ntricular septum parallel to the transducer beam. These are 5 trans
verse planes (Figs. 6, 7). (1) The most caudal view begins with the
fetal stomach, which is needed to assess the situs. (2) The 4-cha
mber view of the heart is then obtained. (3) The 5-chamber heart
view demonstrates the aorta centrally, with the pulmonary anterior
and perpendicular to the aorta. The borders of the central aorta sh
ould be clearly identified. (4) The main PA should be demonstrated
to bifurcate and then follows (5) the so-called 3-vessel view.
为了更进一步的对胎儿心脏进行检查我们推荐应用 5个短轴切面,这些切
面最好是在室间隔与声束平行的情况下采用,这 5个切面都是横断面(图
6、7)。(1)是位于最尾端的胎儿胃部切面,通过它可以确定内脏位置;
(2)是四腔心切面;(3)是五腔心切面,它可以显示主动脉位于中央,
肺动脉位于其前方并且与之垂直,可以清晰的显示圆形主动脉的边界;(4)
显示分叉的主肺动脉;(5)所谓的三血管平面。
These 5 short-axis views are helpful in the detection of conotruncal
abnormalities when the crisscrossing of the aorta and main PA is
not definitely demonstrated using the routine outflow tract views. In
the 3-vessel view, the main PA continues to the descending aorta
through the ductus arteriosus; the 3 vessels that are seen are the
main PA, the ascending aorta, and the SVC. These are aligned in t
he stated order in a straight line from the left anterior aspect to th
e right posterior aspect of the thorax. They also decrease in size,
with the main PA being the largest and the SVC being the smallest
(Fig. 7). When having this view, it is important to note that the ri
ght ventricle is left sided, with the PA “crossing” and ending on the
left side of the fetus and to the left of the aor