Longitudinal survey of fetal ventricular ejection and shortening fraction throughout pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and compare the ejection fraction (EF) and shortening fraction (SF) of both ventricles through pregnancy.


METHODS
Uncomplicated singleton pregnancies, of between 10 and 40 weeks' gestation, were recruited. Transabdominal two-dimensional M-mode imaging of the right ventricular EF (REF), right ventricular SF (RSF), left ventricular EF (LEF), and left ventricular SF (LSF) were performed. Doppler surveys were performed at (1) 10-14 weeks; (2) 15-19 weeks; (3) 20-24 weeks; (4) 25-29 weeks; (5) 30-34 weeks; and (6) 35-40 weeks. The following values were measured: REF, RSF, LEF, LSF, REF/LEF and RSF/LSF.


RESULTS
A total of 42 cases were included. The values of REF, RSF, LEF, and LSF for the six gestational time periods were (1) 0.86, 0.49, 0.85, 0.48; (2) 0.84, 0.48, 0.88, 0.51; (3) 0.76, 0.37, 0.84, 0.48; (4) 0.75, 0.37, 0.84, 0.48; (5) 0.76, 0.38, 0.83, 0.47; and (6) 0.77, 0.38, 0.84, 0.48, respectively. The ratios of REF/LEF and RSF/LSF in each gestational time period were: (1) 1.04, 1.11; (2) 0.95, 0.92; (3) 0.95, 0.90; (4) 0.94, 0.90; (5) 0.94, 0.92; and (6) 0.92, 0.89, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
After 20 weeks' gestation both the EF and SF of the right ventricle decreased. A non-significant change in the LEF and LSF was observed throughout pregnancy. A decreasing trend in the REF/LEF and RSF/LSF ratios during pregnancy was noted.
Hsieh
Y Y
YY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chang
F C
FC
Tsai
H D
HD
Tsai
C H
CH
D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal