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Updated: Apr 21, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Dynamics of pulmonary venous flow in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction
Nathalie J M Bravo-Valenzuela1, Paulo Zielinsky, James C Huhta
1Fetal Cardiology Unit, Institute of Cardiology, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; University of Taubate, Taubate, São Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Fetal growth restriction is associated with elevated pulmonary vein pulsatility index (PVPI). This finding may indicate alterations in left atrial dynamics or diastolic dysfunction in affected fetuses.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Fetal Medicine
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects fetal development.
- Pulmonary venous flow dynamics can reflect fetal cardiac function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if pulmonary vein pulsatility index (PVPI) is elevated in fetuses with IUGR compared to normally growing fetuses.
Main Methods:
- Doppler echocardiography was used to calculate PVPI in 22 IUGR fetuses and 21 controls.
- Fetal biometry and Doppler assessments of uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral arteries were performed.
Main Results:
- Fetuses with IUGR exhibited significantly higher PVPI (1.31 ± 0.41) than controls (0.83 ± 0.11).
- Uterine and umbilical artery PI were also elevated in the IUGR group.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a higher PVPI in fetuses with IUGR, suggesting potential left atrial dynamics alterations.
- This may be linked to fetal left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in IUGR cases.
Objective:
To test the hypothesis that the pulmonary vein pulsatility index (PVPI) is higher in fetuses with growth restriction (IUGR) than in normal fetuses.
Methods:
Twenty-two fetuses with IUGR and twenty-one (21) fetuses with appropriate growth for gestational age from healthy mothers were studied. PVPI was calculated by Doppler echocardiography [maximal velocity (systolic or diastolic peak) - pre-systolic peak / mean velocity]. Obstetric ultrasound was used to assess fetal biometry and Doppler to assess the uterine, umbilical and middle cerebral arteries PI. Statistical analysis used t test and Pearson's correlation.
Results:
Mean gestational age was 31.5 +/- 2.1 weeks in the control group and 31.4 +/- 3.1 weeks in IUGR (P = 0.91). The PI of uterine and umbilical arteries were higher in IUGR than in controls (P < 0.001). Mean PVPI in IUGR fetuses was 1.31 +/- 0.41, and in controls it was 0.83 +/- 0.11 (P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
The pulsatility index of pulmonary venous flow in fetuses with growth restriction is higher than in normal fetuses, probably as a result of left atrial dynamics alteration secondary or not to fetal left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
