Fetal tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (fTAPSE) at term – association with cerebroplacental ratio, birthweight and neonatal pH

Abstract

Objective: To study at term the association of the fetal tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (fTAPSE) with gestational age (GA), birthweight (BW), cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and neonatal pH.Methods: fTAPSE was evaluated in 309 fetuses in relation with GA and BW. Standardized values for fetal size using the head circumference were also studied in relation with CPR multiples of the median (MoM) and BW centile, evaluating the existence of differences in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses and in fetuses with low CPR. In addition, in a subgroup of 286 fetuses, standardized fTAPSE was evaluated according to neonatal venous and arterial pH.Results: fTAPSE correlated with BW but not with GA. In addition, although standardized values correlated with BW centile and CPR MoM, they did not differ either in SGA fetuses or in fetuses with abnormal CPR. Finally, no correlation was found between fTAPSE and neonatal pH.Conclusions: In the term fetus, fTAPSE changes with absolute fetal weight, reflecting the physiological variations occurring with fetal size. However, it is very scarcely influenced by fetal Doppler or BW centile and does not associate with neonatal pH. These data support the idea that the fetal heart is not a valuable target in the study of late-onset growth restriction.