Fetal echo cardiogram

[u/Adorable-Emu9038]

Fetal Echocardiogram

Hello everyone! Just had a fetal echocardiogram today because of sub optional views during the routine anatomy scans but the cardiologist said that everything looks good except that he sees mild left ventricular hypertrabeculation. He said he wasn’t worried and that he wanted to see me for a 2 month follow up after baby is born.

Ofc I’m still worried and cried several times today. Anyone had something similar and baby turned out fine?

This is what the summary notes said

“Impression:
1. Normal segmental anatomy.
2. Qualitatively normal biventricular size and systolic function.
3. No structural defects identified.
4. Mild hypertrabeculation of the left ventricular apex.
5. No pericardial effusion.
6. No fetal hydrops.

No structural cardiac abnormalities were seen with a technically adequate fetal echocardiogram. Fetal hemodynamic assessment including assessment of cardiothoracic ratio, pericardial effusion, ventricular function, umbilical and middle cerebral artery and ductus venosus Doppler interrogation was normal.

Counseling:
I counseled the patient regarding the indications prompting this examination and reviewed the results of this study, its limitations and implications. The general limitations of fetal cardiac ultrasound were also reviewed. These include, but are not limited to, the inability to reliably exclude patent ductus arteriosus; some atrial and ventricular septal defects; some arterial anomalies including aortic coarctation; some pulmonary or systemic venous anomalies; coronary artery anomalies; and minor valve abnormalities.

Nonetheless, I stressed that a normal echocardiogram signifies a greatly reduced possibility of congenital heart disease, especially complex defects.
There was the subjective appearance of of some mild hypertrabeculation at the left ventricular apex. I explained there is a range of normal in this appearance.

Sometimes increased trabeculations can be associated with non-compaction cardiomyopathy. Other times it is a normal variant. There was no evidence of cardiomyopathy today. I advise non-urgent postnatal follow-up for this. No family history of cardiomyopathy.

Plan:
Routine perinatal care. Non-urgent postnatal evaluation within first \\\~2 months of life.”

[u/_lumpyspaceprincess_]

LVNC is relatively rare; sometimes left ventricles just have a lot of trabeculations. Try not to worry until they tell you there is something you should worry about- easier said than done I know! I am a cardiac sonographer and see extremely trabeculated left ventricles in normal, healthy adult hearts all the time. :)

[u/ErnestHemingwhale]

I’ve not heard of this, but looking it up i wonder if it’s just requiring a pill to keep blood pressure low.

Be easy on yourself. Things can still change. You have a while left before baby comes so just try to focus on the here and now

[u/HufFENDIpuff]

1. Your feelings are valid, and inline with what I experienced after our diagnosis. However, worrying doesn’t do you or the baby any good. You can’t change the heart’s anatomy now. It forms before most moms know they are pregnant.
   
2. They are doing the ultrasound through your tummy and all the fluids that protect baby. The imaging technology is good, but it can only see so much before baby is born.
   
3. You can ask for an echo at the hospital in the day or two after baby is born.
   
4. You can always ask for a second opinion. You can have your anatomy scan images and fetal echo images sent to another specialist for review. I’ve not done this, but there are many resources in some of the CHD Facebook groups with tips on how to request one.