Reference ranges for the left ventricle modified myocardial performance index, respective time periods, and atrioventricular peak velocities between 20 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation

Abstract

Objective: To establish reference ranges for the fetal left ventricle (LV) modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI), respective time periods, and right and left atrioventricular peak velocities between 20 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation.Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 360 low-risk singleton pregnancies between 20 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation. The LV Mod-MPI was calculated as (isovolumetric contraction time + isovolumetric relaxation time)/ejection time. Polynomial regression was used to obtain the best-fit using Mod-MPI and atrioventricular peak velocity measurements and gestational age (GA) with adjustments using the coefficient of determination (R2). The intra- and interobserver reliability was evaluated using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC).Results: LV Mod-MPI (R2 = 0.026, p = .002) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) (R2 = 0.036, p < .001) significantly increased with advancing GA. Isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) and ejection time (ET) did not significantly change with GA. RV and LV E wave, A wave, and E/A ratio significantly increased with GA (p < .001). The mean of each parameter ranged as follows: LV Mod-MPI (0.44–0.47 s), IRT (0.041–0.045 s), ICT (0.032–0.034 s), ET (0.167–0.167 s), RV E (30.2–46.91 cm/s), RV A (47.1–60.7 cm/s), RV E/A (0.65–0.78 cm/s), LV E (27.0–41.4 cm/s), LV A (43.2–53.8 cm/s), and LV E/A (0.63–0.78 cm/s). Only LV A wave measurements demonstrated an intraobserver CCC >0.80. The remaining intra- and interobserver reproducibility parameters demonstrated lower CCC.Conclusions: Reference values were replicated for the fetal LV Mod-MPI and LV and RV transvalvular peak velocities between 20 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation.