Advances in the prenatal diagnosis of heart disease have improved accuracy in the evaluation of structural heart lesions, dysrhythmia mechanisms, and functional pathology and will lead to better perinatal management and counseling. Additional technical advances will lead to earlier diagnosis, perhaps even during embryonic development. Newer developments, including the transumbilical and transuterine approaches, may make antenatal intervention possible and safer for a larger number of affected pregnancies.
Hornberger, L. K., & Barréa, C. (2001). Diagnosis, natural history, and outcome of fetal heart disease. Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual, 4, 229-243. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/97164 (Original work published 2001)