A 27-week-old fetus was referred for further evaluation after an abnormal orientation of the great arteries was detected during a routine ultrasound examination.
What initially appeared to be only a subtle anatomical variation quickly revealed much more intriguing and complex features when a detailed fetal echocardiographic examination was performed.
Let’s take a closer look at:
- The vascular anatomy
- The atrioventricular connections
- The morphology of the ventricular chambers
- The cardiac outflow tracts and their spatial relationship
Something did not align with what we would normally expect to see in a structurally normal heart. The final diagnosis was a rare and severe congenital heart defect: congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA). In this condition, the initial physiology may appear deceptively “balanced,” while the long-term clinical course can evolve very differently.
Video source: Dr. Shreepal
The ultrasound images were acquired using the Voluson Signature 18 system. Fetal anomalies, particularly congenital heart defects, are relatively uncommon but can have significant clinical consequences. Early and accurate detection allows physicians to develop more appropriate plans for further evaluation, management, and follow-up.
Voluson Ultrasound System
Voluson continues to strive to provide high-quality imaging and advanced technologies to support fetal screening and the detection of congenital abnormalities, helping minimize the risk of missed findings as much as possible.
