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Normal fetal foramen flap and transatrial Doppler velocity pattern
A D Wilson1, P S Rao, S Aeschlimann
1University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital, Madison 53792.
Summary
Normal fetal foramen ovale size closely matches aortic root diameter. Key measurements include a foramen flap angle of at least 30 degrees and specific transatrial Doppler velocity patterns, crucial for understanding fetal cardiac function.
Area of Science:
- Fetal Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Hemodynamics
Background:
- The foramen ovale is a critical structure in fetal circulation, enabling right-to-left shunting.
- Understanding its normal dimensions and flow dynamics is essential for diagnosing congenital heart defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative data for foramen ovale size and transatrial Doppler velocity patterns in human fetuses.
- To define the typical foramen flap angle and motion during the cardiac cycle.
Main Methods:
- Utilized fetal ultrasound to examine 48 normal fetuses.
- Measured foramen ovale diameter, foramen flap angle, and recorded transatrial Doppler velocities.
- Analyzed flow patterns in systole and diastole.
Main Results:
- Foramen ovale maximal diameter is comparable to aortic root diameter (within 1.0 mm).
- A foramen flap angle of ≥30 degrees was observed in all fetuses.
- Transatrial Doppler showed a triphasic pattern (right-to-left flow) in systole and biphasic (bidirectional) in diastole.
Conclusions:
- Normal foramen ovale size correlates with aortic diameter.
- A foramen flap angle of at least 30 degrees is a normal finding.
- Specific Doppler velocity patterns characterize normal fetal foramen ovale function.