Screening of Congenital Heart Diseases by Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Using Spatiotemporal Image Correlation: Influence of Professional Experience

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of the use of spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) as a screening program for congenital heart disease and the influence of professional experience in those examinations. Methods This prospective cross‐sectional study included 64 pregnant women at gestational age between 20 and 34 weeks, and 12 physician participants who were divided into two groups: group 1—“STIC specialist”; and group 2—“STIC nonspecialist.” Volumes were analyzed to obtain the five axial views for optimal fetal heart screening: abdominal situs, four‐chamber view (4CV), outflow tract views (OTV), and three vessels and trachea view (3VT). The chi‐square test (χ2) was used to compare the group's results and kappa coefficient to evaluate inter‐ and intra‐observer reproducibility. Results Spatiotemporal image correlation volume acquisition was successful in 97.3% of cases in which it was attempted (group 1: 100%; group 2:95%). A total of 197 STIC volumes were used in this study. In 71%, it was possible to demonstrate 4CV and OTV (group 1:88.9%; group 2:58.6%). 4CV, OTV, and 3VT were visualized in 55.3% of the volume dataset (group 1:74.1% and group 2:42.2%). In 49% of volumes, all five views for optimal fetal heart screening were seen (group 1:67%; group 2: 36%). A good inter‐observer agreement was found in all cardiac views and a good intra‐observer agreement in most of views except in OTV. Conclusion We believe that STIC can be used as a tool to improve the cardiac screening examination of the fetus. Professional experience was the most important influence in the image quality of the STIC volume.