Open AccessFetal cardiac structure and function as studied by ultrasound
Author(s) -
Wladimiroff J. W.,
Stewart P. A.,
Vosters R. P. L.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960070501
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiac function curve , cardiology , fetus , ultrasound , stroke volume , cardiac ultrasound , cardiac output , pregnancy , first trimester , fetal echocardiography , radiology , prenatal diagnosis , hemodynamics , heart failure , ejection fraction , biology , genetics
Present combined two‐dimensional real‐time and M‐mode echocardiograph systems allow detailed analysis of fetal cardiac structure and function. Standard scanning planes for systematic investigation of various cardiac structures are described. There is a curvilinear increase in left ventricular volume (Q lv ), stroke volume (Q lvs ), and output Q' lv ) during the last trimester of pregnancy with a mean Q' lv value at term of 126±11 ml/kg/min. Scanning for cardiac defects should preferably be done between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation. In a total of 444 patients referred to our ultrasound unit for ultrasonic analysis of fetal cardiac structure, a total of 13 cardiac defects were diagnosed. The incidence of structural cardiac defects present among those with fetal dysrhythmia was 15%.