Fetal Systemic Venous Anomalies

Abnormalities in systemic veins, including the superior and inferior caval veins and coronary sinus, can occur either in isolation or in association with other congenital heart lesions. With lateralized situs [situs solitus (usual) or inversus (mirror-image)], systemic venous anomalies are rare, but with abnormal atrial situs, such anomalies occur more commonly. Systemic venous anomalies can be identified on obstetrical ultrasound and fetal echocardiography. This chapter discusses identification of systemic venous anomalies with fetal echocardiogram.