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First-trimester fetal cardiac function.

Noirin E Russell1, Fionnuala M McAuliffe

  • 1Fetal Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine : Official Journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
|March 4, 2008
PubMed
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This study establishes normal fetal heart function values in early pregnancy. These first-trimester cardiac measurements aid in assessing fetal health during the crucial 12-14 week gestational period.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Fetal Cardiology
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Assessing fetal cardiac function early in pregnancy is crucial for monitoring fetal well-being.
  • Establishing normative data for first-trimester fetal heart function is essential for accurate clinical interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish normal reference values for fetal heart function between 12 and 14 weeks' gestation.
  • To provide a baseline for evaluating early fetal cardiac performance.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study involving 32 healthy pregnant women.
  • Transabdominal fetal echocardiography performed at 12-14 weeks' gestation.
  • Assessment of myocardial performance index, isovolumetric contraction/relaxation times, ventricular filling ratios, and outflow peak systolic velocities (PSVs) and time velocity integrals (TVIs).

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Main Results:

  • Mean gestational age was 13 weeks; mean crown-rump length was 79 mm.
  • Normal nuchal translucency (mean 1.5 mm) observed in all fetuses.
  • Key cardiac function parameters established, including myocardial performance index (0.5), isovolumetric times (left: 41ms relaxation, 36ms contraction), filling ratios (0.6), and outflow velocities/integrals.

Conclusions:

  • This study successfully establishes normal values for fetal cardiac function in the first trimester (12-14 weeks' gestation).
  • These established values can aid clinicians in assessing fetal health during early pregnancy.