Ultrasound of the Fetal Veins Part 2: Veins at the Cardiac Level

Abstract In recent years the advent of high-resolution and color Doppler ultrasound has enabled a more comprehensive examination of the veins at the cardiac level. These veins include both the superior and inferior vena cava, the pulmonary veins, the azygos vein, the coronary sinus, and the brachiocephalic (or innominate) vein. This article gives a review of the normal and abnormal conditions of the cardiac venous system. Normal anatomy and abnormal findings of these veins are demonstrated by grayscale and color Doppler. Three groups of anomalies are presented: 1) the interrupted inferior vena cava with azygos c…