Timing of the Fetal Echocardiographic Exam

Question 1

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine guidelines for performing a fetal echocardiogram is:

A. 12-16 weeks
B. 16-18 weeks
C. 18-22 weeks
D. 24-28 weeks
E.  Greater than 28 weeks

Answer 1

C. 18-22 weeks

The AIUM decided that for optimal visualization of the cardiac structures and for best image quality, a fetal echocardiography exam should be performed between 18 and 22 weeks gestation.

Question 2

Transvaginal fetal echocardiography may be obtained as early as:

A. 8 weeks' gestation
B. 10 weeks' gestation
C. 12 weeks' gestation
D. 14 weeks' gestation
E. 16 weeks' gestation

Answer 2

C. 16 weeks’ gestation

Question 3

The initial step in any fetal efhocardiographic exam is to:

A. Establish fetal position
B. Establish sex of the baby
C. Identify the stomach location
D. Identify the arch sidedness
E. All of the above

Answer 3

A. Establish fetal position

Establishing the fetal position– either vertex, breech, or transverse lie– allows one to discover if the heart is in the normal location.

Question 4

After identifying the fetal position the next step is to:

A. Identify the location and orientation of the heart
B. Identify the location of the stomach
C. Identify the aortic arch sidedness
D. Identify the sex of the baby
E. All of the above

Answer 4

A. Identify the location and orientation of the heart