Impact of anomalies other than congenital heart disease on the fetal cardiovascular system

Fetal echocardiography has provided us with a valuable opportunity; a clear window to observe the events of maturation and development in the human fetus. The well-rounded pediatric/fetal cardiologist caring for the unborn patient must ideally be aware of all forms of prenatal disease which can potentially affect the fetus, and not just be able to detect the presence of congenital heart disease. In this chapter, we review three such examples of disorders which can affect the fetal cardiovascular system: (1) volume loading anomalies, (2) intrathoracic masses, and (3) the twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Each of these disorders manifests very unique influences and affects the fetal cardiovascular system.