In the United States about 100 babies with heart defects are born every day.
Until recently, little could be done for unborn babies
suffering from anatomical abnormalities. Presently, improved fetal
sonographic and sampling techniques, in conjunction with a better
understanding of fetal pathophysiology, make therapy for the fetus an
option [1].
The most valuable and widely applied technique
for evaluation of the human fetus is ultrasonography, which can be
useful from the first few weeks of gestation until the time just
before birth.
Every year a greater number of pregnant woman are offered an
ultrasound scan at approximately 18 weeks of pregnancy. The scan
incorporates a detailed anatomical survey of the fetus, and if it
includes at least a four chamber view, it is an excellent opportunity
to detect most forms of congenital heart diseases [2].
Unfortunately in most cases, obstetricians and primary care
physicians are unable to appropriately analyze views of the heart.
Unless malformations are obvious, the patients are not referred to
cardiologist.
The goal for our project is to develop computer tools to support the
process of detection of congenital heart abnormalities by
noncardiologists.
[1] Adzick N.S., Ballard R., Crombleholmne T.M., Forouzan I.,
Graham E., Morgan M.A., Rose N.C., Fetal Therapy Saves Lives. Penn
Today 1996: 9-10.
[2] Huhta J.C., Rotondo K.M., Fetal Echocardiography.
Seminars in Roentgenology, Vol. XXVI; 1991: 5-11.