threevessel

Threevessel, in a medical context, refers to the three-vessel view used in fetal echocardiography. This ultrasound plane is part of routine fetal heart assessment and provides a transverse view of the upper mediastinum to visualize the great vessels exiting the heart.

In the three-vessel view, three major vessels are seen in cross-section: the main pulmonary artery, the ascending aorta, and the superior vena cava. The arrangement and relative sizes of these vessels are evaluated to assess normal cardiac anatomy and to screen for congenital heart defects. The view helps identify anomalies that involve the great arteries or the venous return to the heart, and it is often used in conjunction with other cardiac views to provide a comprehensive assessment of fetal heart structure and function.

Clinical utility includes early detection of conditions such as transposition of the great arteries, persistent truncus arteriosus, and other arch or outflow tract abnormalities. While a normal three-vessel view supports typical anatomy, deviations from the expected pattern prompt further imaging or specialist referral.

Acquisition of the view depends on fetal position, gestational age, and equipment quality. It requires technique and experience, as the vessels can appear variably sized or overlapped in different planes. Limitations include suboptimal fetal positioning, maternal body habitus, and equipment constraints, which can obscure visualization of the vessels.

Threevessel is one of several standard fetal cardiac views used to screen for congenital heart disease during prenatal ultrasound. Its interpretation is typically integrated with the four-chamber view and outflow tract views to provide a comprehensive assessment of fetal heart anatomy.