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Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
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Automated analysis of fetal cardiac function using color tissue Doppler imaging.
L Herling1,2, J Johnson2,3, K Ferm-Widlund2
1Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology - CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Summary
Automated analysis of fetal myocardial velocity using color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) is feasible. This technique can simplify fetal cardiac function evaluation in research and clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Fetal Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) is used to assess fetal cardiac function.
- Manual analysis of cTDI data can be time-consuming and subjective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the feasibility of automated analysis of fetal myocardial velocity recordings obtained by cTDI.
- To compare automated measurements with manual analysis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 107 pregnancies at ≥41 weeks gestation.
- Myocardial velocity recordings obtained via cTDI in a four-chamber view.
- Automated algorithm used to measure peak myocardial velocities and cardiac mechanical time intervals, compared to manual measurements.
Main Results:
- Automated analysis was possible for all left ventricular (LV), right ventricular (RV), and septal wall traces.
- Measurements were obtained in 96% of all traces with high correlation to manual methods.
- Agreement between automated and manual methods was inconsistent, with some bias and poor precision noted.
Conclusions:
- Automated analysis of cTDI myocardial velocity recordings is feasible.
- This technique has the potential to simplify and facilitate fetal cardiac function assessment.
- The findings suggest utility in both research and clinical settings for evaluating fetal heart function.
