Antenatal Investigation of Ductus Venosus Velocity as a Method of Detecting the Fetal Heart Failure, Caused by Parvovirus B19 Infection

Abstract

Background. The article describes the methods and results of investigation of blood flow velocity waveforms in fetal ductus venosus (DV). Results. In 16 of 20 (80%) fetuses we did not observe any absent or reversed A-wave flow in the DV during atrial contraction as well as any fetal echocardiographic pathological signs. In 2 (10%) cases a reversed A-wave flow in the DV in a combination with EchoCG-signs of overload of left side of heart, resulting in enlargement (dilatation) of left atrium and left ventricle were detected. In 2 (10%) cases the presence of a reversed A-wave flow in the DV and EchoCG-signs of fetal heart failure (reduction of cardiac output, significant dilatation of left ventricle) were evidenced.The results of the study confirm that with the expansion of fetal nuchal translucency thickness, the systolic blood flow velocity in the DV increases with the correlation coefficient r=0.594, which proves a linear dependence between these two ultrasonography parameters.Conclusions. The linear correlation between the presence of a reversed A-wave blood flow velocity in the DV and the overload of left side of fetal heart, development of heart failure (20% of the total number of examined women) were proved.KEY WORDS: ductus venosus (DV); heart failure; parvovirus B19 infection; peak systolic blood flow velocity; fetal echocardiography (EchoCG).