El diagnóstico prenatal de cardiopatías congénitas por ecocardiografía en la provincia de Matanzas, Cuba, de 1990 a 1995

we analyze the intra-uterine diagnoses of congenital cardiopathies performed by means of fetal echocardiographies from 1990 to 1995 in matanzas, cuba. all patients were examined in search of risk factors and indicators; 39 complex cardiopathies were detected, the most frequent ones were univentricular heart, hypoplasia of the left ventricle, and pulmonary atresia. significant references were an abnormal image of the four cavities and the associated fetal anomalies; 66% of the malformations were diagnosed before week 24 of gestation. it was observed that the group of patients not diagnosed prenatally had a significant perinatal mortality. although 32% of the new-borns' complex cardiopathies in that period were diagnosed prenatally, it is necessary to improve this result aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality due to these anomalies, offering the best survival conditions at the time of birth. (arch cardiol mex 2005; 75:159-164)