Fetal Right Heart Enlargement
Course Overview
Fetal right heart enlargement refers to the abnormal enlargement of the right side of the fetal heart, which can indicate underlying cardiovascular conditions or abnormalities. This course focuses on understanding the causes, diagnosis, and management of right heart enlargement in the fetus, using advanced ultrasound imaging techniques such as echocardiography and Doppler. Key conditions linked to right heart enlargement, including pulmonary hypertension, fetal arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects, are also discussed. Understanding the clinical implications of right heart enlargement helps in prenatal counseling and planning for optimal neonatal care. This course is essential for clinicians involved in fetal cardiology and obstetrics.
Course Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant will:
Part 1:
Describe the 3 congenital tricuspid valve defects resulting in right heart dilation in the fetus and how to differentiate them on fetal echo.
Name 2 associated findings with Ebstein’s anomaly and the arrhythmias they can cause.
Explain reasons for the poor prognosis for severe tricuspid insufficiency in the fetus.
Part 2:
List the 4 causes of right heart dilation in the fetus with a structurally normal tricuspid valve
Describe the features of premature ductal constriction
Describe the etiologies and management of ductal constriction
Describe the features of right heart failure in the fetus.
Differentiate valvar pulmonary stenosis from absent pulmonary valve syndrome
Part 3:
Describe the diagnostic approach to differentiate coarctation of the aorta from other defects causing right heart enlargement
Explain why growth restriction results in right heart enlargement
Explain the etiology of twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
Summarize the cardiac findings seen with Vein of Galen aneurysms
Target Audience
Physicians, sonographers, and others who perform and/or interpret obsterical ultrasound.
Credit Information
Credit Type
* AMA PRA Category 1™
Number of Credits
3
* AMA PRA Category 1 ™ credits are used by physicians and other groups like PAs and certain nurses. Category 1 credits are accepted by the ARDMS, CCI, ACCME, and Sonography Canada.
Faculty
Bettina Cuneo, MD
Director of Perinatal Cardiology and Fetal Cardiac Telemedicine
Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics
Children’s Hospital of Colorado
Disclosure
In compliance with the Essentials and Standards of the ACCME, the author of this CME tutorial is required to disclose any significant financial or other relationships they may have with commercial interests. Dr. Bettina Cuneo discloses no such relationships exist. No one at IAME who had control over the planning or content of this activity has relationships with commercial interests.
In compliance with the Essentials and Standards of the ACCME, the author of this CME tutorial is required to disclose any significant financial or other relationships they may have with commercial interests.
IAME has assessed conflict of interest with its faculty, authors, editors, and any individuals who were in a position to control the content of this CME activity. Any identified relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated. IAME's planners, content reviewers, and editorial staff disclose no relationships with ineligible entities.
Estimated Time for Completion
3 hours
Date of Release
August 20th, 2018
Date of Most Recent Review
December 9th, 2024
Expiration Date
December 8th, 2027
Accreditation
The Institute for Advanced Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Institute for Advanced Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™s. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Sonographers: These credits are accepted by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), Sonography Canada, Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), and most other organizations.
For information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board or other credentialing organization.
