Continuous transverse scanning of the fetal heart using a cross-sectional image database of common fetal congenital heart deformities

ObjectiveTo provide an anatomical basis for continuous transverse scanning of the fetal heart by analyzing the typical cross-sectional characteristics of different types of congenital heart deformities (CHDs) using an anatomical image database.Materials and methodsThe database consisted of cross-sectional images obtained from 45 cases of common fetal CHDs, which were continuously displayed by the three-dimensional software Amira 5.3.1. The following anatomical parts were observed from the database of heart samples in a bottom-to-top manner: the coronary sinus, four chambers, left ventricular outflow tract, right ventricular outflow tract, and transverse ductal and aortic arches. The anatomical characteristics of these sections were analyzed and compared with the ultrasonic transverse views obtained from the same fetuses.ResultsDuring the display of the anatomical database of 45 cases of common fetal CHDs, the aforementioned typical cross sections were successively revealed, along with the corresponding pathological features. These sections also exhibited a very good correspondence with the ultrasonic transverse views of the same cases.ConclusionThe database of cross-sectional anatomical images of fetal CHDs provided an anatomical basis for continuous transverse scanning of the fetal heart.