OP04.20: The ductus venosus diameter and pulsatility index in fetuses with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Objective: To present an investigation of range of the pulsatility index (PI) and the smallest diameter in the ductus venosus (DV) in normal fetuses with normal DV Doppler flow patterns (PI) throughout gestation. Methods: This was a cohort study performed by one sonographer between September 2004 and March 2006. The DV was identified by color aliasing of the vessel arising from the intraabdominal umbilical vein; the color scale then increased and the color gain reduced until the echogenic surfaces of the DV could be observed with near transparent color flow. At least 3 measurements were made in each fetus, all performed during fetal quiescence. SPSS software was used to create nomograms for DV size and PI against gestational age (GA) from 1000 cases of normal fetuses with normal outcomes. 1,175 normal fetuses age 12 to 40 weeks with average growth, were evaluated for Doppler flow in the DV after obtaining IRB approval. Results: 1039 cases (88.43%) of DV PI measurement and 1000 cases (85.11%) of DV size measurement were recorded as satisfactory measurements. A nomogram was constructed from the results, using the average of the three measurements for each fetus. The median size of the DV was linear across gestation. The DV PI was highest in first trimester. All of the fetuses were discharged after term delivery in normal condition.