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Journal of Echocardiography

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Open Access 01-09-2019 | Original Investigation

Measurement of cardiac function by cardiac time intervals, applicability in normal pregnancy and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Authors: S. J. Eschbach, M. Gijtenbeek, N. van Geloven, D. Oepkes, M. C. Haak

Published in: Journal of Echocardiography | Issue 3/2019

ABSTRACT

Background

To detect early cardiac deterioration, a simple and stable tool is needed. Measurement of time intervals in a simple 4-chamber view using color-coded tissue Doppler imaging is a relatively new approach to assess fetal cardiac function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of this modality and to construct reference ranges for cardiac time intervals.

Methods

We performed a prospective longitudinal cohort study in healthy fetuses. We used linear mixed models to construct age-adjusted reference ranges for shortening time (St) and lengthening time (Lt) in three cardiac regions: global heart and right and left ventricular wall. St and Lt were expressed as percentage of the cardiac cycle. Feasibility and intra- and interobserver variabilities were evaluated. We applied the technique to twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) recipients before laser therapy to test the diagnostic performance.

Results

A total of 251 recordings were obtained from 54 healthy singletons. St decreased and Lt increased with gestational age in all regions. We found a high feasibility (99.6%) and excellent intra-/interobserver variability for St (0.96/0.94) and Lt (0.99/0.96) of the global heart. Left and right ventricle performance parameters were good. In TTTS recipients, St was prolonged (p < 0.01) and Lt was shortened (p < 0.01) in all regions and the feasibility was excellent (96.6%).

Conclusions

The assessment of fetal cardiac function by measurement of cardiac time intervals is technically feasible with good reproducibility, even in difficult scanning circumstances such as TTTS. It is possible to discriminate between healthy and compromised fetuses with this technique.

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Title: Measurement of cardiac function by cardiac time intervals, applicability in normal pregnancy and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
Authors: S. J. Eschbach
M. Gijtenbeek
N. van Geloven
D. Oepkes
M. C. Haak
Publication date: 01-09-2019
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Journal of Echocardiography / Issue 3/2019
Print ISSN: 1349-0222
Electronic ISSN: 1880-344X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12574-018-0401-9

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Measurement of cardiac function by cardiac time intervals, applicability in normal pregnancy and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

ABSTRACT

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

ABSTRACT

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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