Spectral Doppler, tissue Doppler, and speckle-tracking echocardiography for the evaluation of fetal cardiac function: an update

Abstract

The functional assessment of the fetal heart has been incorporated into cardiac ultrasound screening as a routine procedure, encompassing fetuses with and without structural heart diseases. It has long been known that various cardiac and extracardiac conditions, such as fetal growth restriction, fetal tumors, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, fetal anemia, diaphragmatic hernia, arteriovenous fistula with high cardiac output, and congenital heart diseases (valvular regurgitation and primary myocardial disease), can alter hemodynamic status and fetal cardiac function. Several ultrasound and Doppler echocardiographic parameters of fetal cardiovascular disease have been shown to correlate with perinatal mortality. However, it is still difficult to identify the signs of fetal heart failure and to determine their relationship with prognosis. The aim of this study was to review the main two-dimensional Doppler ultrasound parameters that can be used in the evaluation of fetal cardiac function, with a focus on how to perform that evaluation and on its clinical applicability.

Gestational Age-Adjusted Reference Ranges for Fetal Left Ventricle Longitudinal Strain by Automated Cardiac Motion Quantification between 24 and 37 Weeks’ Gestation

“…There are well-established criteria that allow structural analysis of the fetal heart to be easily performed, but it is becoming increasingly important to assess fetal cardiac function in order to study and follow up some fetal conditions [1][2][3][4][5]. One of the goals of fetal echocardiography research has been the identification of fetal cardiovascular parameters that could aid with prenatal detection and monitoring of cardiac dysfunction [6].…”

Foetal Tachyarrhythmias: A Modern State of the Problem

“…В целом ряде исследований было показано, что подсчет ЧСС на уровне входного/выводного отдела желудочков не позволяет верифицировать удлинение АВ-проведения возбуждения. В то же время, оценка ЧСС на уровне верхней полой вены/восходящей аорты четко демонстрирует наличие указанных изменений [11,[13][14][15]. Таким образом, при фиксировании фетального сердечного ритма целесообразно раздельно оценивать частоту сокращения предсердий (путем регистрации кровотока через овальное окно или на уровне верхней полой вены) и кривые скоростей кровотока на уровне любой магистральной артерии (для подсчета частоты сокращений желудочков) с последующим сопоставлением предсердной и желудочковой частоты.…”

Assessment Of Fetal Cardiac Functions In Pregnant Women Wı̇th Asthma

“…Valvular clicks were used as cues for the calculation of each period. Myocardial performance index (MPI) was calculated from the waveform obtained (isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT) + isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT)/ejection time (ET)) 12 .…”