Course Description

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This one-day conference will focus on basic fetal cardiac screening, including image optimization and assessment of fetal heart rhythm, situs, the four-chamber view, the ventricular outflow tracts and great arteries.  Indications to refer for fetal echocardiogram will also be reviewed.  This course includes formal lectures, interactive cases, and live imaging demonstrations of both normal and abnormal fetal hearts.  This year, we are also introducing an optional “hands-on” scanning experience guided by our experienced team.

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Target Audience

 

This course is designed for medical professionals and trainees who are involved in performing or interpreting basic fetal heart screening by ultrasound.  This includes sonographers, obstetricians, radiologists, maternal fetal medicine specialists, nurses  and midwives, among others.

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Course Objectives

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• Understand the rationale and current guidelines for fetal cardiac screening by ultrasound

• Learn practical tools for image optimization

• Identify the pearls and pitfalls of detecting cardiac disease by ultrasound

• Understand how to evaluate fetal cardiac rhythm

• Differentiate normal versus abnormal fetal cardiac anatomy by taking a comprehensive approach through the different screening views, including the four-chamber view, the outflow tract views, and the three-vessel view

• Reinforce principles of image optimization and screening views with live case demonstrations with pregnant volunteers and interactive case-based discussion; an optional hands-on session is available to provide additional learning opportunities

• Learn who, when, and how to refer for a fetal echocardiogram