Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis of Fetal Coarctation of the Aorta: Current Status, Techniques, and Research Progress

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart disease (CHD) characterized by localized narrowing of the aorta. Timely prenatal diagnosis is crucial for improving postnatal outcomes. Currently, fetal echocardiography is the preferred method for diagnosing CoA; however, due to the characteristics of fetal circulation and dynamic developmental processes, the diagnostic accuracy of a single ultrasound parameter remains limited. This review aims to summarize recent advances in prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of CoA, exploring new insights and technologies based on traditional sonographic features, as well as the potential application of multiparametric ultrasound models and the auxiliary role of artificial intelligence. The goal is to provide a basis and direction for enhancing the diagnostic performance of prenatal ultrasound in detecting coarctation of the aorta.