3D-4D fetal echocardiography

 Dr. Gonçalves is a Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Fetal Imaging and a Professor, Department of Radiology; Dr. Espinoza is an Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Fetal Imaging; and Dr. Bronsteen is an Attending Physician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Division of Fetal Imaging, at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects between 4 and 8 of every 1,000 live born infants.^1,2 In studies where neonatal echocardiography was performed routinely on every newborn, the incidence rose to approximately 75 per 1,000 live births, with most of the difference attributed to the diagnosis of muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) that escaped diagnosis by clinical examination alone.³

Twenty-five years have elapsed since prenatal ultrasonography was introduced for screening and diagnosis of CHD.^{4, 5} Despite widespread availability of prenatal ultrasonography, CHD remains under diagnosed, inclusive of the ductal-dependent lesions that require intervention shortly after birth.⁶ The most likely cause for the lower-than-expected sensitivity of prenatal ultrasonography to diagnose ductal-dependent anomalies is the difficulty that inexperienced sonographers have in obtaining standard views and interpreting abnormalities of the outflow tracts.⁷ Indeed, it may take an average sonographer over 2 years of practice to become proficient in imaging the outflow tracts during routine obstetrical ultrasonography.⁸

One of the most effective strategies reported to date to improve prenatal diagnosis of CHD has relied strongly on training, continuing education, a low threshold for referral of suspected abnormalities to specialized fetal echocardiography, and, above all, a close collaboration between the pediatric cardiologist who establish the final diagnosis and the ultrasonographer who suspected the cardiac anomaly in the first place.⁹

Another recent development, 4-dimensional ultrasonography (4DUS) of the fetal heart, may reduce operator dependency and improve the diagnostic accuracy for CHD.^10-16 4DUS allows examination of volume datasets of the fetal heart using standard planes of section and rendering techniques. In this article, we explore the available technology to perform 4DUS of the fetal heart, tips for volume acquisition,techniques to visualize standard planes of section, as well as techniques to obtain rendered views of the great arteries and major veins. We also review previous studies that addressed how often good volumes can be obtained in the clinical setting and the diagnostic accuracy of4DUS to diagnose CHD.

Transducers for 4DUS of the fetal heart

The term 4DUS implies that the temporal dimension (motion) has been added to the 3 spatial dimensions of a volume dataset.¹⁷ For volume datasets acquired from the fetal heart, this means that a virtual beating heart can be examined off- or online, resliced in any plane of section, or reconstructed using rendering techniques, thus providing the examiner with both structural and functional information.¹⁸ For example, a 4DUS volume dataset of a fetus with tricuspid insufficiency acquired with color Doppler shows not only the tricuspid valve but also the regurgitation jet that establishes the diagnosis (Figure 1). This would not be possible with static 3-dimensional (3D) volume datasets. Most commercially 4DUS transducers available today rely on mechanical volumetric acquisition. These transducers rely on a 2-dimensional (2D) convex array mounted on a mechanical wobble and are similar to those used for 3-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) of other body parts (Figure 2). Once volume acquisition begins, the probe automatically sweeps through a region of interest (ROI), which is predetermined by the examiner, and a series of consecutive 2-dimensional images are reassembled into a final volume dataset.

In order to incorporate the temporal information that is present during acquisition, gating technology is necessary. Gating allows synchronization of spatial information to the specific phases of the cardiac cycle, at which images are acquired. In adult and pediatric echocardiography, the electrocardiogram (EKG) is used for prospective gating. In fetuses, we use retrospective gating provided by a technology known as spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC). STIC relies on temporal Fourier analysis to estimate the fetal heart rate from systolic peaks that can be identified in the raw volume dataset.¹⁹ Once the heart rate is known, frames acquired from different spatial positions but during the same phase of the cardiac cycle are merged into one volume dataset. The process is repeated for each phase of the cardiac cycle until a seriesof volume datasets are organized in sequence and played as an endless continuous cine loop (Figure 3).¹³ STIC volume datasets can then be examined on- or offline using one of several volume manipulation techniques that are described later in this article.

Matrix array probes

Four-dimensional fetal echocardiography can also be performed using electronic matrix array technology. Matrix array probes allow realtime 4-dimensional (4D) echocardiography and have been used mostly in adult and pediatric patients, with fewer articles describing fetal imaging applications.^20-27 Matrix array probes are designed as 2D arrays of transducer elements (currently up to approximately 9000 elements) that can be fired either simultaneously or in sequence. When fired simultaneously, a pyramid of ultrasound is produced and real-time 3D examination of cardiac structures is possible. The examiner can also control the aperture angle of the transducer by determining how much of the matrix is active at any time. A narrow aperture angle produces a narrow pyramid of sound with a high frame rate and the opposite occurs when the full array is used. If each line of the array is activated in sequence along the elevation plane, 4DUS volumes of the fetal heart can be generated using STIC technology, at much faster acquisition speeds than currently possible with mechanical probes (Figure 4).

How to obtain diagnostic quality volume datasets

The same limitations that an examiner faces when performing a 2-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) examination of the fetal heart apply to 4DUS. These are related to poor image quality from maternal obesity, scars from prior surgeries, artifacts from unfavorable fetal position(spine up), and excessive fetal motion.²⁸ Therefore, image optimization prior to volume acquisition is essential to obtain diagnostic quality volume datasets.

Two-dimensional image optimization

The examiner should favor transducers with the highest possible frequency. Harmonics may help in case of maternal obesity. It is also best to use high contrast and low persistence settings as well as a narrow sector angle to maximize the frame rate. Magnification should be such as to display only the structures of interest.

Volume acquisition

A few reminders are important prior to volume acquisition. The first is that volumes acquired from axial images of the fetal heart are optimal for examination of the 4-chamber view, 5-chamber view, or 3-vessel and trachea view. In contrast, if the examiner is interested in reconstructing the aortic arch, the ductal arch, or the venous return to the heart, sagittal acquisitions work better.¹⁸ This is a consequence of the anisotropic nature of the volume datasets obtained with current technology, with most of the artifacts presenting in the sagittal and coronal reconstructed planes.

The ROI to be included in the final volume dataset should also be as narrow as possible to maximize the frame rate and temporal resolution. This is particularly important for acquisitions performed with color or power Doppler, since these technologies have a negative impact in the frame rate.

The most important aspect of volume acquisition, however, is a good acoustic window to the fetal heart. Ideally, once the examiner obtains a good quality image of the 4-chamber (4CH) view, the ROI is quickly selected and volume acquisition is initiated. Although most examiners have a tendency to begin volume acquisition only when a good 4CH view is obtained, this is not really necessary. Regardless of the plane of section displayed on the 2D image, all it takes to obtain a diagnostic-quality volume dataset is a good acoustic window to the fetal heart in a fetus that is relatively still. If the fetus moves significantly, artifacts may make the final volume dataset unusable for diagnostic purposes. In this case, the only solution is to stop the acquisition and initiate a new one, repeating the process as many times as necessary until a diagnostic-quality volume dataset is obtained.

Another factor that may contribute to motion artifacts in the final volume dataset is heavy maternal breathing. We customarily ask the mothers to briefly suspend breathing during acquisition. This is usually well tolerated, particularly if acquisition time is kept short. Acquisition time is the amount of time that it takes for the probe to sweep through the ROI, ranging from 5 to 15 sec formost ultrasonographic equipment manufacturers. One should keep in mind that, whenever possible, longer acquisitions are preferred since the spatial resolution of the final volume dataset will be better, except when there is excessive fetal motion or maternal breathing.

One last parameter that is set by the operator is acquisition angle. This controls the extent of the acquisition sweep and, therefore, how much information is acquired in the reconstructed z-plane. In general, smaller angles are selected for young fetuses (eg, 15-20 degrees for

first and early second trimester), and larger angles for older fetuses (eg, 25-35 degrees for late second and third trimester).

Volume acquisition using color Doppler, power Doppler, and B-flow imaging

Volume datasets may be acquired with color Doppler, power Doppler, or B-flow imaging.^29-32 Any of these technologies provides a “virtual contrast” to reconstruct cardiac chambers, vessel lumen, as well as physiologic or abnormal shunts. The advantage of color Doppler is that blood flow direction and velocity are present in the volume dataset (Figures 1 and 5). The disadvantages are poor sensitivity to small blood vessels and the dependence on an optimal insonation angle (close to 0 degrees). With power Doppler, sensitivity to low-velocity blood flow is better than with color Doppler, at the expense of no velocity or blood flow direction information (Figure 6).Both color and power Doppler suffer from problems related to low frame rate and poor temporal resolution. B-flow is a relatively novel imaging modality that allows blood flow mapping without Doppler (Figure 7). Although the technology does not provide information regarding velocity or direction of blood flow, it is extremely sensitive to low-velocity blood flow. Since this technology relies on B-mode to map blood flow,excellent acoustic window is required for optimal B-flow imaging. Our anecdotal experience is that rendered images of ventricular chambers and vessels performed with this modality are of higher quality when obtained the second trimester of pregnancy as opposed to later, probably as a result of less acoustic shadowing.

Exploring the volume dataset

Multiplanar display

The easiest way to explore a 4DUS volume of the fetal heart is to scroll through the original plane of acquisition or use multiplanar reformatting to display the structures of interest. The multiplanar display of most commercially available equipment usually demonstrates the original plane of acquisition in one panel (eg, the upper right corner), with orthogonal sagittal and coronal reconstructed planes displayed in additional panels (Figure 8). A reference dot or crosshair representing the intersection in space of the 3-orthogonal planes is shown in all images. The examiner can drag this reference dot on the screen to navigate through the volume dataset and simultaneously show the same structure in multiple planes.

Offline assessment of the fetal heart is conducted in a manner similar to a real 2DUS examination. The sequential segmental approach can be used to explore the volume dataset, with the fetal heart divided into 3 basic segments (atria, ventricles, and great arteries) connected by atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial junctions.^33-36

The sequential segmental analysis begins by determining fetal orientation and atrial situs. Ideally, the right and left atria and their position in relationship to each other can be defined based on the morphology of the atrial appendages. In practice, atrial situs is often evaluated by determining the arrangement of the abdominal great vessels with respect to the spine at the level of the diaphragm. In situs solitus, the inferior vena cava (IVC) lies to the right of the spine and anterior to the left-sided aorta; the stomach is located on the left side; and the portal vein on the right (Figure 8). This arrangement usually implies that the morphologically right atrium is to the right of the morphologically left atrium, regardless of the position of the heart within the chest. Situs inversus implies a mirror-image arrangement of the normal pattern. In right isomerism both great vessels are positioned on the same side of the spine (either right or left), and in left isomerism, the IVC is usually interrupted and continues with the azygous vein towards the thorax.³⁷

The atrioventricular junction is examined next. If concordant, the morphologically left atrium connects to the morphologically left ventricle, and the morphologically right atrium to the morphologically right ventricle. The moderator band helps to identify the right ventricle. Additional landmarks include the more apically inserted tricuspid valve and chordal attachments to the ventricular septum(Figure 9). The left ventricle is smoother, does not have a moderator band, and the mitral valve only has chordal attachments to the free wall.

The ventriculoarterial connections are checked next. Here is where 4DUS can really help. Several techniques that rely either on multi-planar display (“three-step”,^{13, 15} “spin”,¹¹ “tomographic ultrasound imaging”,^38-40 STAR,⁴¹ FAST⁴²) or rendering algorithms have been described to consistently obtain the outflow tracts from volume datasets acquired from the 4-chamber view. Regardless of the technique, the goal is to demonstrate that the aorta connects to the left ventricle and that the pulmonary artery connects to the right ventricle (Figures 5, 6,and 10). The pulmonary artery crisscrosses over the aorta as it leaves the heart and should be followed to its bifurcation and to the ductus arteriosus. The ascending aorta should be followed to the aortic arch.

The next steps are to check the venous connections to the atrial chambers (pulmonary veins to the left atrium and IVC and superior venacava to the right atrium), double check AV valve morphology, and determine if there are any defects in the ventricular septum.

Techniques to explore the volume dataset using multiplanar display

As mentioned previously, a variety of techniques have been published to explore volume datasets of the fetal heart obtained withSTIC.^{11,13,29,30,31,38-42} A detailed description of each technique is beyond the scope of the article and the reader is directed to the original references for a more detailed description of each. Here we will focus on those techniques that we are more familiar with and, therefore, use more frequently in our clinical practice.

Spin technique

This is a simple technique that can be used to explore the full length and anatomical relationships of any cardiac structure.¹¹ The basic principle is that once the reference dot is anchored in the structure of interest and the volume dataset is rotated around its y- or x-axis, the structure “opens up,” depicting previously hidden anatomical relationships with other structures. Figure 11 illustrates the spin technique applied to a cross-sectional view of the fetal chest at the level of the 3-vessels and trachea view. Note the extra-vessel located to the left of the pulmonary artery/ductus arteriosus, which is marked with a question mark. Once the reference dot is placed on that vessel and the volume dataset is rotated around the y-axis, it becomes clear that the vessel in question is a persistent left superior vena cava draining to a dilated coronary sinus.

Three-step technique to evaluate the outflow tracts

This technique allows simultaneous visualization the long-axis view of the left ventricular outflow tract and the short-axis view of the right ventricular outflow tract in 2 separate panels displayed on the same screen. The technique works best when the original plane of acquisition is axial with full description and illustration provided in Figure 10. We have previously shown good inter-and intraobserver reproducibility for this technique.⁴³ More recently, Rizzo et al¹⁵ reported reasonable diagnostic accuracy for this technique to diagnose conotruncal anomalies among examiners who were blinded to both indication and final diagnosis. In his study, volume datasets of the fetal heart were obtained from 112 consecutive unselected and 10 fetuses with congenital heart disease and stored for later offline examination. Both examiners correctly detected the single abnormal case of hypoplastic left-heart syndrome among the 112 unselected fetuses. Among the 10 preselected cases with congenital heart disease, examiner “A” considered 3 volumes as inadequate [2 cases of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and one case corrected transposition of the great arteries (TGA)], and correctly diagnosed 3 cases of TOF, 2 cases of complete TGA, and one case of interrupted aortic arch. Examiner B considered 4 of the volumes to be nondiagnostic (2 cases of TOF, one case of complete TGA, and one case of corrected TGA), missed the diagnosis of interrupted aortic arch, interpreted one case of TOF as double outlet right ventricle, and correctly diagnosed 2 cases of TOF, and 2 cases of complete TGA. Figures 12 and 13 depict the use of this technique in TOF with pulmonary atresia and complete TGA, respectively.

Technique to visualize the ductal arch from volumes obtained from the 4-chamber view

Another simple technique allows examiners to consistently obtain a view of the ductal arch in the reconstructed sagittal plane from volume datasets obtained from the 4-chamber view (Figure 14). Espinoza et al demonstrated that failure to visualize the ductal arch with this technique is associated with a high rate of conotruncal abnormalities [94.4% (17/18)] when compared to normal hearts [6.9% (8/116)] or hearts affected by other CHD [21.6% (7/34)] (p<0.01 for all comparisons).⁴⁴

Tomographic ultrasound imaging

An alternative to scrolling through the original plane of acquisition is to automatically reslice the volume dataset. This has been variously called tomographic ultrasound imaging or multislice imaging, depending on the manufacturer.^38,40 Tomographic ultrasound imaging allows the examiner to simultaneously see the multiple planes of section along the original acquisition plane (or alternatively sagittal or coronal reconstructed planes) in a single screen and, therefore, may facilitate looking at the multiple facets of complex cardiac anomalies (Figure 15).

Manual drawing of lines in the volume dataset to obtain standard planes of section

Recently introduced technological developments for volume manipulation allows examiners to manually trace lines through a longitudinal view of the ductal arch in a volume dataset and obtain the standard planes of section required for a thorough examination of the fetal heart fairly consistently. Two variations of the technique have been described, the ‘FAST’ and the ‘STAR’ techniques, with illustrations of each provided in Figures 16 and 17.

Automated algorithms to examine the fetal heart by 4DUS

The normal spatial relationship of cardiac structures to each other has been mathematically described.⁴⁵ Investigators have taken advantage of the relatively fixed relationship between anatomical components of the fetal heart to develop automated algorithms to extract standard fetal echocardiography views from volume datasets.^46,47 A preliminary study using volume datasets collected from cases of congenital heart disease shows promise in the prenatal diagnosis of complex disorders such as d-transposition of the great arteries.⁴⁸

4D-rendered images of the fetal heart

One of the unique capabilities of volumetric imaging is to allow rendered reconstruction of cardiac structures. Rendered views of the great vessels can be obtained with a variety of techniques, including inversion mode for volume datasets acquired using gray scale only (Figure 18, D-TGA), color Doppler (Figures 1 and 5), power Doppler (Figure 6), and B-flow imaging (Figures 7 and 19). Prenatal diagnosis of abnormalities involving the great vessels, such as transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot, truncus arteriosus, and double outlet right ventricle have been reported by several groups using one or more of these technologies.^{29,30,31,49, 50, 51-57} Of particular interest is the exquisite characterization of difficult abnormalities, such as major collateral pulmonary arteries in the setting of pulmonary atresia with VSD,³² interrupted aortic arch with associated cervical origin of the right subclavian artery,⁵⁶ and total anomalous pulmonary venous return^54,55 (Figure 19) that have been reported using rendered images of the fetal vessels obtained with b-flow imaging.

Evaluation of cardiac biometry and function with 4D fetal echocardiography

Recently, several groups around the world have reported their initial experience with volumetric measurements of fetal cardiac structures using 4DUS volume datasets. Parameters such as end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, ventricular mass, ventricular-septum area, and derived functional parameters, such as ejection fraction, stroke volume and cardiac output, have been reported with good reproducibility.^58-73

Feasibility of 4D fetal echocardiography in clinical practice

A relevant question is whether 4DUS can be used routinely to examine the fetal heart in clinical practice. With the capabilities demonstrated in previous sections of this article, a reasonable expectation is that routine use of the technology could result in reduction of the examination time with a concomitant increase in diagnostic accuracy. This would likely be true if a volume dataset of sufficient diagnostic quality could be obtained from every pregnant patient scanned. Unfortunately, unfavorable fetal position (spine up), excessive fetal movement, and maternal obesity are encountered frequently enough in clinical practice to prevent less than optimal volume acquisitions in a significant number of cases. Two studies have addressed this issue. In the first, 2 experienced sonographers scanned 165 high-risk fetuses with no suspected CHD. No more than 4 attempts to acquire a volume dataset were allowed during each examination. Data was analyzed for rate of successful volume acquisition, final number of volume datasets considered nondiagnostic as well as factors associated with poor quality of the volume datasets. Among the 148 cases where acquisition was attempted, storage errors occurred in 7, and successful acquisition was achieved in 76% of the cases. Of these, only 25% of the volumes were considered to be of high quality (n=26), 40% (n=42) were diagnostic but not high quality, and 35% (n=37) were considered nondiagnostic. Factors associated with poor quality volume datasets were anterior placenta (56% vs. 30%, p=0.05) and maternal obesity (mean BMI 26.5 kg/m² vs. 23.8 kg/m², p = 0.04).⁷⁴ In another study, examinations conducted between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation with a maximum allocated time of 40 min showed that the 4-chamber, left outflow tract and right outflow tract views could be obtained in 70% to 83.8% of the time. An anterior placenta and fetal position with the spine up were the main cause of nondiagnostic examinations.⁷⁵

Accuracy

A few studies have addressed the issue of diagnostic accuracy of 4D fetal echocardiography. In one recent study, 2D video clips documenting fetal echocardiographic examinations in 181 fetuses with CHD were reviewed blindly and compared to volume datasets obtained in the same fetuses. Twelve additional cardiac anomalies (right aortic arch with anomalous branching, transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary atresia, interrupted aortic arch, right ventricular aneurysm, total anomalous venous return, and VSDs) were identified only by 4DUS.⁷⁶ Bennasar et al¹⁰ evaluated the volume datasets of 342 fetuses referred for suspected CHD and examined by both 2D and4DUS. Volume datasets were reviewed only one year after the initial study and the accuracy to diagnose CHD compared between 2DUSand 4DUS. The overall accuracy for diagnosis of CHD was 91% for 4DUS compared to 94.2% for 2DUS, but the difference was not statistically significant. There were 9 false-negative diagnoses with 4DUS (9 VSDs and 1 interruption of the aortic arch) compared to 3 by 2DUS(2 VSDs and 1 persistent left superior vena cava), but the difference was not statistically significant. 4DUS had 19 false-positive diagnoses (10 VSDs, 4 coarctation of the aorta, 2 persistent left superior vena cava, 1 pulmonary stenosis, 1 tricuspid dysplasia, and 1 rhabdomyoma)compared to 17 false-positive diagnoses by 2DUS (11 VSDs, 4 coarctation of the aorta, 1 tricuspid dysplasia, and 1 ostium primum atrial septal defect); again the differences were not statistically significant. The authors reported, in their center, that successful volume acquisition was possible in 98% of the cases, and that, given the results of their study, 4DUS could be incorporated into the clinical setting with accuracy for prenatal diagnosis of CHD similar to 2DUS. In an additional multicenter study, 90 volume datasets of fetuses with and without congenital heart disease where uploaded to a central server, and experts at 7 different centers were asked to review the volume datasets blinded to the final diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CHD in this setting were 93% (95% CI 77 to 100%) and 96% (95% CI 84 to 100%), respectively, with excellent intercenter agreement (κ=0.97).¹²

Conclusion

4D-fetal echocardiography is an emerging technology that adds to the diagnostic armamentarium of the fetal imager in the difficult task of prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Once a volume dataset of sufficient diagnostic quality is acquired and analyzed by experts, a correct diagnosis can be achieved in the majority of cases.^10,12 This opens up the possibility of volume datasets of the fetal heart be used in the future for remote consultations in a telemedicine imaging environment.^77-79 The bottleneck for more ample utilization of this technology in the clinical setting appears to be the inherent limitations of current ultrasound technology to deal with factors that degrade 2DUS image quality, such as fetal movement, unfavorable fetal position, anterior placenta, and maternal obesity. We hope that future developments that address these problems can eventually lead to more widespread utilization of 4DUS fetal echocardiography in clinical practice.

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