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Functional assessment of the fetal heart: a review
Author(s) -
Godfrey M. E.,
Messing B.,
Cohen S. M.,
Valsky D. V.,
Yagel S.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.9064
Subject(s) - medicine , modalities , ultrasound , in utero , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , cardiology , reproducibility , fetus , pregnancy , social science , genetics , sociology , biology , statistics , mathematics
The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current modalities available for the assessment of fetal cardiac function. The unique anatomy and physiology of the fetal circulation are described, with reference to the difference between @ in‐utero and @ ex‐utero life. M‐mode, early/atrial ratio, myocardial performance index, three‐dimensional and four‐dimensional ultrasound, tissue Doppler including strain and strain rate, speckle tracking, magnetic resonance imaging and venous flow assessment are described. The modalities are analyzed from the perspective of the clinician and certain questions are posed. Does the modality assess systolic function, diastolic function or both? Is it applicable to both ventricles? Does it require extensive post‐processing or additional hardware, or does it make use of technology already available to the average practitioner? The reproducibility and reliability of the techniques are evaluated, with reference to their utility in clinical decision‐making. Finally, directions for future research are proposed. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.