Which feature of Ebstein anomaly is most characteristic on fetal imaging?

Prepare for the Fetal Echocardiography Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions that come with hints and explanations. Ace your exam preparation!

The key finding being tested is the landmark feature of Ebstein anomaly seen on fetal imaging: apical displacement of the tricuspid valve leaflets, especially the septal and posterior leaflets, with part of the right ventricle becoming “atrialized.” This pushes the functional right ventricle toward the apex, resulting in a markedly enlarged right atrium and a small, underdeveloped functional right ventricle, often with significant tricuspid regurgitation. This distinct arrangement is what makes Ebstein anomaly recognizable on fetal echocardiography.

Other options describe different conditions or non-defining associations and do not produce the characteristic imaging pattern. Transposition of the great arteries shows abnormal connections of the great vessels rather than tricuspid valve displacement; an atrial septal defect may be present but is not the hallmark imaging feature of Ebstein; coarctation of the aorta is a separate lesion with its own imaging cues.