First-trimester fetal cardiac function. 2008

Noirin E Russell, and Fionnuala M McAuliffe
Fetal Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to establish normal values for fetal heart function in the first trimester. METHODS This was a prospective observational study with institutional ethics approval and written maternal consent. Thirty-two healthy pregnant women were recruited, and transabdominal fetal echocardiography was performed between 12 and 14 completed weeks' gestation. Myocardial function was assessed with the myocardial performance index to assess combined systolic and diastolic function, isovolumetric contraction time to assess systolic function, and isovolumetric relaxation time to assess diastolic function. Mitral and tricuspid inflows were also assessed by determining the ratio between passive and active ventricular filling. The ventricular outflows were also assessed by peak systolic velocities (PSVs) and time velocity integrals (TVIs). RESULTS The mean gestational age at the time of echocardiography was 13 weeks, and the mean crown-rump length was 79 mm. All fetuses had a normal nuchal translucency measurement (mean, 1.5 mm). The myocardial performance index was the same in the left and right sides of the heart, 0.5. The mean isovolumetric relaxation time and isovolumetric contraction time on the left side of the heart were 41 and 36 milliseconds, respectively. The mean passive/active ventricular filling ratio was 0.6 at both the mitral and tricuspid valves. The mean aortic PSV was 26 cm/s, and mean pulmonary artery PSV was 32 cm/s. The mean aortic outflow TVI was 3.6 cm, and the mean pulmonary outflow TVI was 4.1 cm. CONCLUSIONS This study establishes normal values for cardiac function at 12 to 14 weeks' gestation. These values may assist in assessment of fetal health in early pregnancy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011261 Pregnancy Trimester, First The beginning third of a human PREGNANCY, from the first day of the last normal menstrual period (MENSTRUATION) through the completion of 14 weeks (98 days) of gestation. Early Placental Phase,Pregnancy, First Trimester,Trimester, First,Early Placental Phases,First Pregnancy Trimester,First Pregnancy Trimesters,First Trimester,First Trimester Pregnancies,First Trimester Pregnancy,First Trimesters,Phase, Early Placental,Phases, Early Placental,Placental Phase, Early,Placental Phases, Early,Pregnancies, First Trimester,Pregnancy Trimesters, First,Trimesters, First
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D004452 Echocardiography Ultrasonic recording of the size, motion, and composition of the heart and surrounding tissues. The standard approach is transthoracic. Echocardiography, Contrast,Echocardiography, Cross-Sectional,Echocardiography, M-Mode,Echocardiography, Transthoracic,Echocardiography, Two-Dimensional,Transthoracic Echocardiography,2-D Echocardiography,2D Echocardiography,Contrast Echocardiography,Cross-Sectional Echocardiography,Echocardiography, 2-D,Echocardiography, 2D,M-Mode Echocardiography,Two-Dimensional Echocardiography,2 D Echocardiography,Cross Sectional Echocardiography,Echocardiography, 2 D,Echocardiography, Cross Sectional,Echocardiography, M Mode,Echocardiography, Two Dimensional,M Mode Echocardiography,Two Dimensional Echocardiography
D005260 Female Females
D005318 Fetal Heart The heart of the fetus of any viviparous animal. It refers to the heart in the postembryonic period and is differentiated from the embryonic heart (HEART/embryology) only on the basis of time. Fetal Hearts,Heart, Fetal,Hearts, Fetal
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D016216 Ultrasonography, Prenatal The visualization of tissues during pregnancy through recording of the echoes of ultrasonic waves directed into the body. The procedure may be applied with reference to the mother or the fetus and with reference to organs or the detection of maternal or fetal disease. Fetal Ultrasonography,Prenatal Diagnosis, Ultrasonic,Ultrasonography, Fetal,Diagnosis, Prenatal Ultrasonic,Diagnosis, Ultrasonic Prenatal,Prenatal Ultrasonic Diagnosis,Prenatal Ultrasonography,Ultrasonic Diagnosis, Prenatal,Ultrasonic Prenatal Diagnosis,Diagnoses, Prenatal Ultrasonic,Diagnoses, Ultrasonic Prenatal,Prenatal Diagnoses, Ultrasonic,Prenatal Ultrasonic Diagnoses,Ultrasonic Diagnoses, Prenatal,Ultrasonic Prenatal Diagnoses
D018568 Crown-Rump Length In utero measurement corresponding to the sitting height (crown to rump) of the fetus. Length is considered a more accurate criterion of the age of the fetus than is the weight. The average crown-rump length of the fetus at term is 36 cm. (From Williams Obstetrics, 18th ed, p91) Crown Rump Length,Crown-Rump Lengths,Length, Crown-Rump,Lengths, Crown-Rump

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