Fetal echocardiography - See with new eyes

Cardiac malformations occur in 8 to 10 per 1000 live births and are thus th e most common congenital anomalies. Fetal echocardiography is gaining impor tance in the evaluation of fetuses with suspected cardiac malformations. Ob stetricians, pediatric cardiologists and pediatric surgeons require trainin g in the new technology. We present an interactive CD-ROM designed to facil itate training in fetal echocardiography. Ultrasound technology generates t wo-dimensional images. Three-dimensional evaluation requires interpreting t he movements of the probe by the examiner and the excursions of the fetal h eart. The CD-ROM "Fetal Echocardiography - See With New Eyes" uses computer -generated graphics to portray the most common cardiac malformation (ventri cular, atrial and atrioventricular septal defects; pulmonary stenosis; tric uspid atresia; hypoplastic left heart syndrome; tetralogy of Fallot; transp osition of the great arteries). Schematic three-dimensional models and digi tal video sequences are shown. We aimed at linking virtual 3-dimensional mo dels with realistic ultrasound sequences. Written interactive information a nd references are provided. The CD-ROM runs on conventional PC and CD drive s.