Objective: Because fetal respiratory movements increase left ventricular compliance, we hypothesized that the left atrial shortening fraction increases during fetal respiratory motions.
Methods: A group of 26 normal fetuses with gestational ages between 28 and 38 weeks were assessed in a prospective cross-sectional study. Left atrial telesystolic and presystolic diameters were measured during apnea and after five consecutive respiratory movements.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol
February 2009
Objective: To test the hypothesis that, in diabetic pregnancies, left atrial shortening fraction (LASF) is decreased in fetuses with myocardial hypertrophy, compared to those without hypertrophy and to fetuses of non-diabetic mothers.
Methods: Fetal echocardiography was performed in women with pre-existing or gestational diabetes and in non-diabetic controls between 25 weeks' gestation and term. LASF was calculated using the formula: (end-systolic diameter-end-diastolic diameter)/end-systolic diameter, and data were compared between diabetic women with and without fetal myocardial hypertrophy and controls.
Objective: To test the hypothesis that left atrial shortening fraction is lower in fetuses of diabetic mothers than in fetuses of mothers with no systemic disease.
Methods: Forty-two fetuses of mothers with previous diabetes or gestational diabetes and 39 healthy fetuses of mothers with no systemic disease (controls) underwent echocardiographic examination. Their gestational ages ranged from 25 weeks to term.
Objective: To test the hypothesis that the pulsatility index of ductus venosus (PIDV) is greater in the fetuses of diabetic mothers (FDM) with myocardial hypertrophy (MH) than in the FDM with no MH and in the control fetuses of nondiabetic mothers (FNDM). Comparing the results with mitral and tricuspid diastolic peak flows.
Methods: The cross-sectional study included fetuses with gestational ages ranging from 20 weeks to term, divided into the following 3 groups: 56 FDM with MH (group I), 36 FDM with no MH (group II), and 53 FNDM (group III, control).
Objective: To verify the hypothesis that the pulmonary vein pulsatility index is higher in fetuses of diabetic mothers than it is in normal fetuses of nondiabetic mothers.
Methods: Twenty-four fetuses of mothers with either gestational or previous diabetes (cases), and 25 normal fetuses of mothers without systemic disease (control) were examined. Fetuses were examined through prenatal Doppler and color flow mapping.