AIUM practice guideline for the performance of fetal echocardiography

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) is a multidisciplinary association dedicated to advancing the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine through professional and public education, research, development of guidelines, and accreditation. To promote this mission, the AIUM is pleased to publish in conjunction with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), and the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) this AIUM Practice Guideline for the Performance of Fetal Echocardiography. Additionally, this guideline is endorsed by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The AIUM represents the entire range of clinical and basic science interests in medical diagnostic ultrasound, and, with hundreds of volunteers, this multidisciplinary organization has promoted the safe and effective use of ultrasound in clinical medicine for more than 50 years. This document and others like it will continue to advance this mission. Practce guidelines of the AIUM are intended to provide the medical ultrasound community with guidelines for the performance and recording of high-quality ultrasound examinations. The guidelines reflect what the AIUM considers the minimum criteria for a complete examination in each area but are not intended to establish a legal standard of care. AIUM-accredited practices are expected to generally follow the guidelines with recognition that deviations from these guidelines will be needed in some cases, depending on patient needs and available equipment. Practices are encouraged to go beyond the guidelines to provide additional service and information as needed. The clinical aspects contained in specific sections of this practice guideline (Introduction, Indications, Specifications of the Examination, and Equipment Specifications) have been developed by the AIUM, ACR, ACOG, SMFM, and ASE.