Cardiac dysfunction and cell damage across clinical stages of severity in growth-restricted fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess cardiac function and cell damage in intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses across clinical Doppler stages of deterioration.


METHODS
One hundred twenty appropriate-for-gestational-age and 81 IUGR fetuses were classified in stages 1/2/3 according umbilical artery present/absent/reversed end-diastolic blood flow, respectively. Cardiac function was assessed by modified-myocardial performance index, early-to-late diastolic filling ratios, cardiac output, and cord blood B-type natriuretic peptide; myocardial cell damage was assessed by heart fatty acid-binding protein, troponin-I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.


RESULTS
Modified-myocardial performance index, blood B-type natriuretic peptide, and early-to-late diastolic filling ratios were increased in a stage-dependent manner in IUGR fetuses, compared with appropriate-for-gestational-age fetuses. Heart fatty acid-binding protein levels were higher in IUGR fetuses at stage 3, compared with control fetuses. Cardiac output, troponin-I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein did not increase in IUGR fetuses at any stage.


CONCLUSIONS
IUGR fetuses showed signs of cardiac dysfunction from early stages. Cardiac dysfunction deteriorates further with the progression of fetal compromise, together with the appearance of biochemical signs of cell damage.
Crispi
Fatima
F
Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Institut Clínic de Ginecologia, Obstetrícia i Neonatologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Hospital Clinic-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Hernandez-Andrade
Edgar
E
Pelsers
Maurice M A L
MM
Plasencia
Walter
W
Benavides-Serralde
Jesus Andres
JA
Eixarch
Elisenda
E
Le Noble
Ferdinand
F
Ahmed
Asif
A
Glatz
Jan F C
JF
Nicolaides
Kypros H
KH
Gratacos
Eduard
E
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D019210:Troponin I; D002097:C-Reactive Protein