Fetal Echocardiogram

Recommendations

This test is recommended in all IVF/ICSI pregnancies in accordance with recent American Heart Association practice guidelines.

Test purpose

Testing will improve prenatal diagnosis, management, and referral of the affected pregnancies for delivery and prenatal/postnatal interventions, with the goal of improving outcomes.

Specialist

This test is typically performed by a specially trained ultrasound sonographer and the images are interpreted by a pediatric cardiologist who specializes in fetal congenital heart disease. Some maternal-fetal medicine specialists (Perinatologist) also perform fetal echocardiograms.

Prescriptions

A limited evaluation of the fetal heart is possible during regular obstetric scanning and is appropriate for women at low risk. However, women who have one of the risk factors, such as a pregnancy conceived through IVF should have a detailed echocardiogram performed by a physician who is specially trained in fetal cardiac evaluation.