Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

This session provides an in-depth exploration of subtle fetal heart findings that may be overlooked during routine assessment. Participants will gain insights into recognizing missed clues, distinguishing normal variants from concerning abnormalities, and applying a structured approach to fetal cardiac evaluation. The presentation will cover case-based examples and practical teaching points to support improved pattern recognition and clinical decision-making in fetal echocardiography.

• Identify subtle sonographic findings associated with early or overlooked fetal cardiac abnormalities to support timely recognition.
• Differentiate normal fetal cardiac variants from suspicious findings using structured assessment techniques to guide appropriate follow-up.
• Describe common factors that contribute to missed fetal heart abnormalities for improved clinical evaluation and diagnostic accuracy.

This session provides an overview of fetal cardiac masses, focusing on identification, characterization, and clinical significance using fetal echocardiography. Participants will review common types of masses and their sonographic features, along with key imaging views essential for accurate assessment. The presentation will also address associated findings that may impact fetal outcomes, supporting improved recognition and clinical decision-making in fetal echo practice.

• Identify common types of fetal cardiac masses and their key sonographic features.
• Recognize essential imaging views used in the evaluation of fetal cardiac masses to support accurate assessment.
• Describe associated findings of fetal cardiac masses that may impact fetal outcomes in clinical practice.

This session provides an in-depth exploration of atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD) in the fetal population, focusing on anatomy, atrioventricular valve morphology, and hemodynamic implications. Participants will gain insights into interpreting fetal echocardiographic findings, assessing severity, and understanding clinical implications. The presentation will cover case-based imaging and evaluation techniques, providing relevant information for practical application in prenatal counseling, delivery planning, and postnatal management.

• Describe the embryologic basis of atrioventricular septal defects and its impact on fetal cardiac structure and valve formation.
• Identify key echocardiographic features of complete, partial, and transitional AVSD using fetal imaging to support accurate interpretation.
• Recognize fetal hemodynamic patterns and associated findings to evaluate severity and inform clinical decision-making.

This session provides an in-depth exploration of fetal echocardiographic assessment in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes, focusing on the identification and clinical significance of cardiac abnormalities. Participants will gain insights into the etiology and pathophysiology of diabetic embryopathy, as well as fetal cardiac adaptations to maternal metabolic conditions. The presentation will cover fetal echo measurement techniques and common congenital heart defects, providing relevant information for clinical application in obstetric and fetal sonography practice.

• Identify fetal echocardiographic measurements used to assess diabetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Describe the etiology and pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with diabetic embryopathy.
• Explain the effects of maternal diabetes on fetal circulation and the development of congenital heart defects.