Abstract
Tissue Doppler imaging, a method that allows to assess cardiac function by measuring myocardium velocities, has been recently validated in fetuses. Our objective was to evaluate myocardial velocities using tissue Doppler (TDI) in fetuses with IUGR as compared to controls. Peak myocardial velocities (PMV) were performed in 42 fetuses (14 IUGR and 28 normally grown) between 24 and 40 weeks using TDI. IUGR was defined as an estimated fetal weight < 10th centile with an umbilical artery pulsatility index > 2 SD. Peak annular velocities (cm/s) were measured in early diastole (PVE′), during atrial contraction (PVA′) and systole (PVS′) at the mitral valve, tricuspid valve and septum. Results were analyzed by logistic regression and adjusted by fetal weight and gestational age at ultrasound. Fetuses with IUGR showed significantly lower mitral PMV during atrial contraction and systole compared to controls. A trend to lower values of PMV was observed at the tricuspid annulus. The were no differences in PMV sampled at the septum between fetuses with IUGR and controls (table). IUGR fetuses show signs of systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction by TDI. The relation between TDI changes, the stage of fetal deterioration and perinatal outcome needs to be evaluated in larger studies.
Published Version
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