Fetal Cardiology: A Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Management

by John Simpson (Editor), Vita Zidere (Editor), Owen I. Miller (Editor), Trisha Vigneswaran (Editor)

Overview

This thoroughly updated practical book describes a systematic approach to ultrasound examination of the fetal heart based on accepted screening recommendations. The content is enhanced by images and videos of both normal and abnormal sonographic findings that brings the topic to life and provides the reader with critical clinical information on best practice.

Fetal Cardiology: A Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Management goes further than simply describing core screening views. It includes extended views of the fetal heart, the use of Doppler techniques and assessment of fetal cardiac function. “Variants” that can be encountered in practice are described as well as the features of the major groups of cardiac abnormalities and fetal arrhythmias. Because the authors include experienced fetal and paediatric cardiologists, the focus is not only on diagnostic features but also the approach to postnatal care and prognosis. This content is enhanced by inclusion of chapters relating to associated fetal abnormalities, the genetics of congenital heart disease and new imaging modalities such as MRI of the fetal heart.

This book equips those using ultrasound to image the fetus with a clear concise reference to meet the challenge of new guidelines and to expand their knowledge of complementary echocardiographic techniques and management. It details why prenatal recognition of congenital heart disease is being prioritised to allow for parental choice, recognition of associated abnormalities and improvement of postnatal outcome. As such, this book is a vital resource for all professionals, whether they be a cardiologist, fetal medicine specialist, sonographer or midwife.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783031723179
Publisher:	Springer Nature Switzerland
Publication date:	08/23/2025
Edition description:	Second Edition 2025
Pages:	347
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

John Simpson is Professor of Paediatric and Fetal Cardiology at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust. He qualified in medicine from the University of Edinburgh and trained in paediatric cardiology at Guy’s Hospital, London and the University of California, San Francisco. Professor Simpson has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers in the field and is a co-author of UK, US and European guidelines on the practice of fetal echocardiography and fetal cardiology. He is past President of the British Congenital Cardiac Association (2019-2021).

Vita Zidere is Consultant in Paediatric and Fetal Cardiology at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust. She qualified in medicine from the Riga Stradins University in 1994 and trained in paediatric and fetal cardiology at the University Children’s Hospital in Riga, Latvia, at Guy’s Hospital, London and at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Centre, Babies Hospital, New York, USA. Dr Zidere has published peer-reviewed papers with a major focus on prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease.

Owen Miller is a Consultant in Paediatric and Fetal Cardiology and Deputy Medical Director, Evelina London Children’s Hospital. He graduated from the University of Newcastle, Australia and trained in Paediatrics, Paediatric Intensive Care and Paediatric Cardiology in Sydney, Zurich and London. Dr Miller is on the Associate Editor of European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging and his main clinical and research interests cover advanced cardiac imaging in fetal and paediatric cardiology.

Trisha Vigneswaran is the clinical lead for the Evelina London fetal cardiology network and consultant in paediatric and fetal cardiology at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust . She qualified from Imperial College, London in 2003 and undertook specialist training in paediatrics at Bart’s and The London Hospital and subsequently in paediatric and fetal cardiology at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Evelina London Children’s Hospital and King’s College Hospital. Dr Vigneswaran is a co-author of the UK guidelines on the practice of fetal cardiology. In addition to clinical work she also undertakes research in fetal cardiology, having published over 50 peer-reviewed papers with current focus on acute maternal hyperoxygenation testing.

Table of Contents

Organization of screening for congenital heart disease.- Screening views of the fetal heart.- Extended views of the fetal heart.- Use of Doppler techniques in fetal echocardiography.- Assessment of fetal cardiac function.- First trimester fetal echocardiography.- Abnormalities of the four chamber view.- Abnormalities of the great arteries.- Abnormalities of the aortic arch.- Abnormalities of the systemic and pulmonary veins.- Fetal arrhythmias.- Role of fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.- Counselling following a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease.- Fetal abnormalities associated with congenital heart defects.- Genetics of Congenital Heart Disease.- Impact of prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease on outcome.- Obstetric management of the fetus with congenital heart disease.- Cardiac management of the fetus with congenital heart disease.

Editorial Reviews

It is a pleasure to see another book dedicated to the fetal heart. … It will be a good addition to the libraries of experts in fetal medicine as it offers quick access to relevant information to help understanding of fetal congenital heart disease. It will also be of value to paediatric cardiologists, experienced sonographers and other professionals who wish to extend their knowledge on how to diagnose and manage prenatally detected cardiac abnormalities.” (Julene S Carvalho, RAD Magazine, January, 2020)

“This presents a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of fetal cardiac diseases. … This is a good supplement to the other books available on fetal cardiology and echocardiographic examination. The focus is predominantly on echocardiographic examinations,which this book does well.” (Aashish Gupta, Doody's Book Reviews, March, 15 , 2019)

From the Publisher