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Ventricular dominance patterns in preterm infants
V Schmer1, C Mogos, M Gudavalli
1Department of Pediatrics, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine
|November 24, 1999
Summary
Preterm infants show left ventricular dominance, which shifts towards right ventricular dominance as they mature. Electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiography criteria can identify this ventricular dominance in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal cardiology
- Pediatric electrophysiology
- Fetal and neonatal imaging
Background:
- Full-term infants are born with right ventricular (RV) dominance.
- Understanding ventricular dominance in preterm infants is crucial for assessing cardiac health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish electrocardiogram (EKG) and 2-D echocardiographic criteria for ventricular dominance in preterm infants.
- To identify EKG criteria that can determine ventricular dominance independently.
Main Methods:
- EKG and 2-D echocardiographic data were collected from preterm infants (23-34 weeks gestation) and full-term controls.
- Twelve-lead EKGs and 2-D echocardiograms with M-mode measurements were performed within the first 4 days of life.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants exhibited a leftward QRS axis, indicating left ventricular (LV) dominance.
- LV dominance was observed in V6 lead EKGs, with a trend toward RV dominance as gestational age increased.
- Echocardiographic RVD/LVED ratios confirmed LV dominance in preterm infants.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants display LV dominance, with a tendency towards RV dominance as gestational age advances.
- EKG and echocardiography provide reliable criteria for assessing ventricular dominance in preterm neonates.