Faculty Collaboration Database

Evaluation of myocardial mechanics in the fetus by velocity vector imaging. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2008 May;21(5):470-4

Date

10/02/2007

Pubmed ID

17904801

DOI

10.1016/j.echo.2007.08.003

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-43049085828 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   105 Citations

Abstract

There are limited data on the properties of fetal myocardium with only a small number of Doppler tissue imaging-based studies published. We evaluated the feasibility of using velocity vector imaging, a novel technique for analyzing 2-dimensional images offline, to study myocardial mechanics in the normal fetal heart at different of gestational ages. A single 2-dimensional 4-chamber image of the heart was interrogated offline using velocity vector imaging software. Longitudinal velocity, strain, and strain rate were measured in the right ventricular free wall, ventricular septum, and left ventricular free wall. Images from 24 of 27 (89%) were successfully analyzed. The systolic and diastolic longitudinal velocities increased with gestational age in all myocardial segments analyzed (r = 0.56-0.78, P < .05). Systolic strain and strain rate were not found to have significant correlation with gestational age in any of the wall segments. This implies that increasing velocities during normal gestation are the result of somatic growth rather than changes in myocardial contractility.

Author List

Younoszai AK, Saudek DE, Emery SP, Thomas JD

Author

David Saudek MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Elasticity Imaging Techniques
Feasibility Studies
Heart Ventricles
Humans
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
Myocardial Contraction
Ultrasonography, Prenatal
Ventricular Function, Left