The three‐vessel and trachea view (3VTV) in the first trimester of pregnancy: an additional tool in screening for congenital heart defects (CHD) in an unselected population. (13th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Robertis, Valentina; Rembouskos, Georgios; Fanelli, Tiziana; Volpe, Grazia; Muto, Brunella; Volpe, Paolo
• Is Part Of: Prenatal diagnosis. Volume 37:Number 7(2017)
• Page Start: 693
• Page End: 698
• Publication Date: 2017-06-13
• Subjects: Prenatal diagnosis -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.32075
• DOI: 10.1002/pd.5067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0197-3851

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of obtaining the three‐vessel and trachea view (3VTV) in an unselected population undergoing first trimester screening for aneuploidy, and to investigate its role in the early detection of congenital heart defects (CHD). Methods: Cardiac examination was performed by expert sonographers. Abnormal findings of 3VTV were classified in three different subgroups: number, size and spatial relationship of the vessels. Results: We enrolled 6350 consecutive singleton pregnancies and included 5343 cases. Examination of 3VTV was feasible in 94% of cases. Fifty‐seven (1%) CHD were present in the study period; 24 cases were excluded because parents opted for termination of pregnancy. Of the remaining 33 cases, 25 were suspected at the first trimester and eight were detected only at the mid‐trimester. An abnormal 3VTV was suspected in 22 cases, and it was confirmed in 21. Five cases that were erroneously classified in the subgroup of abnormal vessel number were actually characterized by a diminutive size of one of the great arteries. The detection rate for CHD, including 4‐CV and 3VTV, was 75.8%. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that 3VTV is an easy plane to obtain by expert sonographers in an unselected population during first trimester. Typical suspicions include detection of abnormal number, size or spatial relationship of the vessels. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abstract : What's already known about this topic? The 3VT view is commonly used in routine screening for CHD in the second trimester. What does this study add? The 3VT view is an easy plane to acquire by expert sonographers in first trimester and improves the detection of CHD. Typical suspicions include detection of abnormal vessel number, abnormal vessel size or abnormal spatial relationship.