Analysis of fetal echocardiography parameters in the diagnosis of fetal aortic coarctation

Abstract

Objective To explore the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of echocardiography parameters, and the diagnostic value of multiple parameters score. Methods Forty-nine cases of the fetus checked by fetal echocardiography and were indicated aortic coarctation. According to the results of follow-up, the cases were divided into the positive and negative groups. Comprehensive analysis were performed in fetal echocardiography parameters, such as diameter ratio and velocity ratio of ventricle, aorta, pulmonary artery, ductus artery, middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery. Results Diameter ratio of left ventricle/right ventricle(LV/RV), pulmonary artery/aorta(PA/AO), aortic isthmus/ductus artery(AI/DA), and velocity ratioof middle cerebral artery/inner umbilical artery(MCA/inUA) were calculated, ROC curve showed their area under ROC were>0.5 with a significant statistical significance (P<0.05). The Chi-square test showed that the consistency of any single ratio was relatively low. When the number of the ratiois increased to 3-4, the Kappa value was 0.687(P=0.000) and 0.649(P=0.000), respectively, which had relatively high diagnostic value. Conclusions Ultrasonic diagnosis of fetal coarctation of aorta has certain difficulty, and the value of single hemodynamic parameter of fetal echocardiography in diagnosis of fetal aortic coarctation is lower, so that the comprehensive evaluation and combined multiple ultrasonic parameters can improve the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound diagnosis. Key words: Echocardiography; Fetal heart; Aortic coarctation