Automated quantitative evaluation of fetal atrioventricular annular plane systolic excursion before and after intrauterine blood transfusion in pregnancies affected by red blood cell alloimmunization.

Introduction: Maternal red blood cell alloimmunization during pregnancy can lead to hemolysis and various degrees of fetal anemia, which can be treated with intrauterine blood transfusion (IUT) to prevent adverse outcomes. Knowledge about fetal myocardial function and adaptation is limited. The aim of the present study was to measure fetal atrioventricular plane displacement before and after IUT and compare these measurements with previously established reference ranges.

Automated quantitative evaluation of fetal atrioventricular annular plane systolic excursion.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of automated measurement of fetal atrioventricular (AV) plane displacement (AVPD) over several cardiac cycles using myocardial velocity traces obtained by color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI). The secondary objectives were to establish reference ranges for AVPD during the second half of normal pregnancy, to assess fetal AVPD in prolonged pregnancy in relation to adverse perinatal outcome and to evaluate AVPD in fetuses with a suspicion of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Methods: The population used to develop the reference ranges consisted of women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at 18-42 weeks of gestation (n = 201).

Fetal cardiac function at intrauterine transfusion assessed by automated analysis of color tissue Doppler recordings.

Background: Fetal anemia is associated with a hyperdynamic circulation and cardiac remodeling. Rapid intrauterine transfusion (IUT) of blood with high hematocrit and viscosity into the umbilical vein used to treat this condition can temporarily further affect fetal heart function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term changes in fetal myocardial function caused by IUT using automated analysis of cine-loops of the fetal heart obtained by color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI).

Automated analysis of fetal cardiac function using color tissue Doppler imaging in second half of normal pregnancy.

Objectives: Color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) is a promising tool for the assessment of fetal cardiac function. However, the analysis of myocardial velocity traces is cumbersome and time-consuming, limiting its application in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate fetal cardiac function during the second half of pregnancy and to develop reference ranges using an automated method to analyze cTDI recordings from a cardiac four-chamber view.

Automated analysis of fetal cardiac function using color tissue Doppler imaging.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of automated analysis of fetal myocardial velocity recordings obtained by color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI).

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional observational study of 107 singleton pregnancies ≥ 41 weeks of gestation. Myocardial velocity recordings were obtained by cTDI in a long-axis four-chamber view of the fetal heart.