Comparison of diurnal variations, gestational age and gender related differences in fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters between appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses in the home environment

Objective To assess the influence of gender, time of the day and gestational age on fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters between appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetuses using a portable fetal ECG monitor employed in the home setting. Methods We analysed and compared the antenatal FHR data collected in the home setting on 61 healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancies from 24 weeks gestation. Of the 61 women, 31 had SGA fetuses (estimated fetal weight below the tenth gestational centile) and 30 were pregnant with AGA fetuses. FHR recordings were collected for up to 20 h. Two 90 min intervals were deliberately chosen retrospectively with respect to signal recording quality, one during day-time and one at night-time for comparison. Results Overall, success rate of the fetal abdominal ECG in the AGA fetuses was 75.7% compared to 48.6% in the SGA group. Based on randomly selected episodes of heart rate traces where recording quality exceeded 80% we were able to show a marginal difference between day and night-time recordings in AGA vs. SGA fetuses beyond 32 weeks of gestation. A selection bias in terms of covering different representation periods of fetal behavioural states cannot be excluded. In contrast to previous studies, we neither controlled maternal diet and activity nor measured maternal blood hormone and heart rate as all mothers were monitored in the home environment. Conclusion Based on clinically unremarkable, but statistically significant differences in the FHR parameters between the AGA and SGA group we suggest that further studies with large sample size are required to assess the clinical value of antenatal fetal ECG monitoring

The value of 3D and 4D assessments of the fetal heart

Edward Araujo Júnior, Liliam Cristine Rolo, Luciane Alves Rocha, Luciano Marcondes Machado Nardozza, Antonio Fernandes MoronDepartment of Obstetrics, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, BrazilAbstract: The objective of this review was to demonstrate the main tools of three- and four-dimensional ultrasonography, using the spatiotemporal image correlation software and its respective applications for assessing the fetal heart and its vascular connections, along with its potential contribution towards screening for congenital heart diseases. Today, conventional, two-dimensional, echocardiography continues to be the gold standard for diagnosing congenital heart diseases. However, recent studies have demonstrated that spatiotemporal image correlation offers some advantages that boost two-dimensional accuracy in detecting congenital heart diseases, given that the fetal heart assessment can be completed in the absence of the patient (offline) and be discussed by different examiners. Additionally, data volumes can be sent for analysis in reference centers via internet links. Spatiotemporal image correlation also enables direct measurement of heart structures in rendering mode, such as the interventricular septum and the annulus of the atrioventricular valves. Furthermore, it enables assessment of cardiac function when used in association with the virtual organ computer-aided analysis software, thus making it possible to calculate the total systolic function, ejection fraction, and cardiac output.Keywords: fetus, screening, congenital heart disease, echocardiography, three- and four-dimensional ultrasound, spatiotemporal image correlatio

Viewing rate and reproducibility of papillary muscle areas in foetal atrioventricular valves using spatio-temporal image correlation in the rendering mode in congenital heart disease

Abstract Objective: To assess the viewing rate and reproducibility of areas of the papillary muscles (PMs) of foetal atrioventricular valves using spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) in the rendering mode in congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 40 4D-STIC volume datasets from different foetal CHD cases at a gestational age of 18w6d-35w6d. The following papillary muscles (PMs) were assessed: antero-lateral (MPAL) and postero-medial (MPPM) to the mitral valve and antero-superior (MPAS), inferior (MPI) and septal (MPS) to the tricuspid valve. To assess the valve viewing rate, percentages (%) were used. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was used to assess inter-observer reliability. Results: Two independent observers concluded that a complete examination of the PMs was impossible in 11 cases, yielding a viewing rate of 72.5%. The complete examination of the PMs of the tricuspid and mitral valves was possible by both examiners in 33/40 (82.5%) and 32/40 (80.0%) cases, respectively. We observed moderate to good inter-observer reliability with CCCs of 0.95, 0.92, 0.97, 0.96 and 0.97 for MPS, MPI, MPAS, MPAL and MPPM, respectively. Conclusion: The viewing rate of PM areas in different CHDs using STIC in the rendering mode was moderate. The inter-observer reproducibility was moderate to good for all PM areas