Clinical value of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis of fetal ductus arteriosus stenosis

Abstract

Objective To study the clinical value of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis of fetal ductus arteriosus stenosis and the guiding significance for clinical delivery.Methods Ultrasound images and perinatal outcome of 12 cases of ductus arteriosus stenosis diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound were retrospectively analysed,the sonographic features were summarized.Results Fetal ductus arteriosus was thin in 12 cases with inner diameter of 1.6 - 2.1 mm.Color Doppler flow imaging showed multicolored blood flow in ductus arteriosus,spectral Doppler showed single peak continuous decreasing high-speed shunt spectrum,peak systolic velocity 256- 404 cm/s,end diastolic velocity 90 - 205 cm/s.Twelve fetuses were associated with right atrial and ventricular dilatation,pulmonary artery widened and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation,maximum reflux velocity 324 - 515 cm/s,maximum transvalvular pressure gradient 41 - 106 mmHg.There were 7 cases of emergency cesarean section delivery and 5 cases of oxytocin induced labor delivery,11 cases were full-term infants and 1 case was premature infant.12 fetuses were followed-up after birth by 1 to 3 months of echocardiography until the cardiac structure and function returned to normal,Conclusions Prenatal ultrasound has important clinical value in diagnosis of fetal ductus arteriosus stenosis,it is helpful to assess the fetal right heart function and guide the clinical delivery. Key words: Ultrasonography, prenatal; Ductus arteriosus ; Stenosis