The fetal cardiovascular response to increased placental vascular impedance to flow determined with 4-dimensional ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation and virtual organ computer-aided analysis.

Abstract

We sought to determine if increased placental vascular impedance to flow is associated with changes in fetal cardiac function using spatiotemporal image correlation and virtual organ computer-aided analysis. A cross-sectional study was performed in fetuses with umbilical artery pulsatility index >95th percentile (abnormal [ABN]). Ventricular volume (end-systole, end-diastole), stroke volume, cardiac output (CO), adjusted CO, and ejection fraction were compared to those of 184 normal fetuses. A total of 34 fetuses were evaluated at a median gestational age of 28.3 (range, 20.6-36.9) weeks. Mean ventricular volumes were lower for ABN than normal cases (end-systole, end-diastole) with a proportionally greater decrease for left ventricular volume (vs right). Mean left and right stroke volume, CO, and adjusted CO were lower for ABN (vs normal) cases. Right ventricular volume, stroke volume, CO, and adjusted CO exceeded the left in ABN fetuses. Mean ejection fraction was greater for ABN than normal cases. Median left ejection fraction was greater (vs right) in ABN fetuses. Increased placental vascular impedance to flow is associated with changes in fetal cardiac function.