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Published on: May 5, 2018
Myocardial tissue Doppler velocities in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Himesh V Vyas1, Benjamin W Eidem, Frank Cetta
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
Insights
Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) reveals abnormal myocardial velocities in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). This cardiac imaging technique can aid in monitoring fetal heart function during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Fetal Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Myocardial Function Assessment
Background:
- Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) is a sensitive measure of myocardial function.
- The application of TDI in fetal cardiac assessment remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare myocardial tissue Doppler velocities in fetuses diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).
- To establish normative TDI velocity data in normal fetuses, matched for gestational age.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cross-sectional study involving 13 fetuses with HLHS and 207 normal fetuses.
- Data collected across 5 gestational age groups between 2003 and 2007.
- Analysis of peak systolic (s'), early diastolic (e'), and late diastolic (a') TDI velocities using linear regression.
Main Results:
- Fetuses with HLHS exhibited significantly reduced lateral tricuspid annular early diastolic (e') velocities compared to controls.
- Both normal and HLHS fetuses demonstrated a consistent, linear increase in TDI velocities with advancing gestational age.
Conclusions:
- Myocardial tissue Doppler velocities are demonstrably abnormal in fetuses affected by HLHS.
- TDI shows potential as a valuable tool for the serial evaluation of cardiac function in fetuses with HLHS.
Background:
Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) is a sensitive index of myocardial function. Its role in the fetus has not been extensively evaluated.
Objective:
To compare myocardial tissue Doppler velocities in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) to those of normal fetuses (matched for gestational age.)
Methods:
Cross-sectional retrospective study conducted at 2 large perinatal centers (2003-2007). Fetuses with HLHS (n = 13) were compared with normal fetuses (n = 207) in 5 gestational age groups. TDI data included peak systolic (s'), peak early (e'), and late diastolic velocities (a'). Linear regression was used to compare TDI parameters in fetuses with HLHS to normal fetuses matched for gestational age.
Results:
Fetuses with HLHS had significantly reduced lateral tricuspid annular e' as compared to normal fetuses. Both normal fetuses and those with HLHS had linear increase in TDI velocities with advancing gestational age.
Conclusions:
TDI velocities are abnormal in fetuses with HLHS. TDI can be useful in serial follow-up of cardiac function in fetuses with HLHS.
