Determination of SI for each of 24 segments of the fetal right and left ventricles provides a comprehensive method to examine the shape of the ventricular chambers. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The RV and LV longitudinal displacement fractional shortening can be computed from 2-dimensional images of the 4-chamber view and correlated with global strain. The longitudinal displacement fractional shortening was significantly greater for the RV than the LV and was abnormal in fetuses with RV and LV cardiac abnormalities.

This study reports results from measuring the FAC of the right and left ventricles, and demonstrates a correlation with longitudinal fractional shortening (LFS) and transverse fractional shortening (TFS).

This study reports an integrated approach to evaluate the end-diastolic size of the right and left ventricular chambers and demonstrated clinical utility in fetuses with cardiac malformations.

The fractional shortening of 24 segments of the right and left ventricles provides a comprehensive method to examine the contractility of the ventricular chambers.

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Objectives This study was conducted to evaluate left ventricular (LV) size and function in healthy fetuses and to test a cohort of fetuses at risk for abnormal function using speckle‐tracking software. Methods Two hundred control fetuses were examined between 20 and 40 weeks’ gestation. With the use of offline speckle‐tracking software, the end‐diastolic and end‐systolic volumes were measured and the following computed: stroke volume (SV), SV per kilogram, cardiac output (CO), CO per kilogram, and ejection fraction. These were regressed against 7 independent variables related to the size, weight, and age of the fetuses. Five fetuses with risk factors for LV dysfunction were examined to sample the validity of the data from the control group. Results The R2 values for measurements of the end‐diastolic volume, SV, and CO correlated with the 7 independent variables of fetal size and age (0.7–0.78), whereas the SV/kg, CO/kg, and ejection fraction had lower R2 values (0.02–0.1). The measurements were normally distributed (Shapiro‐Wilke > 0.5). The 5 fetuses at risk for abnormal LV function had measurements of LV size and function that were consistent with the expected pathologic condition. Conclusions Speckle tracking can provide a comprehensive evaluation of the size and function of the fetal LV.

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