FE Reporting & Counseling Flashcards

Which organization publishes the most widely used guidelines for fetal echocardiography practice standards in the US?

Answer: American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) publishes the primary guidelines for performance and interpretation of fetal echocardiography in the United States.

Which phrase best describes the role of the fetal echocardiographer when an anomaly is detected?

Answer: To provide a complete diagnosis and facilitate multidisciplinary counseling

The fetal echocardiographer's role is to provide the most complete diagnosis possible and facilitate timely multidisciplinary counseling and management planning.

Nuchal translucency (NT) measurement in the first trimester is associated with which cardiac finding when significantly elevated?

Answer: Increased risk of congenital heart disease and chromosomal abnormalities

Increased NT is associated with a higher risk of both chromosomal anomalies and structural congenital heart disease, warranting targeted fetal echocardiography.

A four-chamber view alone during obstetric ultrasound will detect approximately what percentage of major congenital heart defects?

Answer: 40–60%

A four-chamber view alone detects approximately 40–60% of major CHD; adding outflow tract views improves detection to 70–80%.

Which statement about fetal cardiac screening at 18–22 weeks gestation is correct?

Answer: Standard obstetric ultrasound should include four-chamber and outflow tract views

Current guidelines recommend that standard obstetric ultrasound at 18–22 weeks include both four-chamber and outflow tract views to improve CHD detection rates.

Which fetal cardiac condition is considered a 'soft marker' for chromosomal abnormality but is usually an isolated benign finding?

Answer: Echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF)

An echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) is a soft marker mildly associated with aneuploidy (especially Trisomy 21) but is usually an isolated benign calcification of the papillary muscle.