Lynn L. Simpson

STRUCTURAL CARDIAC ANOMALIES

Although it is unrealistic to expect that all major structural cardiac anomalies will be detected at the time of routine prenatal ultrasound, an increase in prenatal diagnosis is anticipated as accreditation of ultrasound practices takes place nationwide. Following the diagnosis of congenital heart disease, evaluation for extracardiac anomalies and chromosomal abnormalities is important because these are found in up to 62% and 38% of prenatally identified cases, respectively. Although the literature is limited, counseling parents based on the prenatal experience gives them realistic information about frequency, diagnosis, associated findings, and prognosis of the heart defect found in their fetus. A multidisciplinary team of perinatologists, pediatric cardiologists, geneticists, pediatric cardiac surgeons, and neonatologists should be assembled to assist patients in making informed decisions about their pregnancies and to establish a reasonable management plan for ongoing pregnancies with congenital heart disease.