To investigate the correlation between normal fetal biventricular myocardial function and gestational age using...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Fetal Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Assessing fetal cardiac function is crucial for prenatal care.
• Velocity vector imaging (VVI) offers advanced insights into myocardial mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate fetal left and right ventricular myocardial function using VVI.
• To explore the relationship between global myocardial function and gestational age.

Main Methods:

• 127 normal fetuses were grouped by gestational age.
• Velocity vector imaging measured segmental and global ventricular velocity, strain, and strain rate.
• Analyzed trends and correlations of myocardial function parameters with gestational age.

Main Results:

• Fetal ventricular peak velocities decreased from base to apex (P<0.05).
• Global peak ventricular velocity positively correlated with gestational age (moderate correlation).
• Fetal ventricular strain and peak strain rate did not significantly correlate with gestational age.

Conclusions:

• Fetal myocardial velocity exhibits a base-to-apex gradient.
• Global peak myocardial velocity is linearly associated with gestational age.
• Fetal ventricular myocardial deformability remains consistent during mid-to-late gestation.