Fetal Conotruncal Defects

Aberrations of the development of the conotruncal region of the embryonic heart result in “conotruncal” defects, specifically tetralogy of Fallot, double-outlet ventricle, and truncus arteriosus (Restivo A, Piacentini G, Placidi S, Saffirio C, Marino B, Anat Rec A Discov Mol Cell Evol Biol 288:936–943, 2006). D-transposition of the great vessels and interrupted aortic arch are also due to errant development of the conotruncal region and are discussed separately in other chapters. In this chapter, we will explore the fetal findings and implications of tetralogy of Fallot, double-outlet right ventricle, and truncus arteriosus.