Evaluation of regional left ventricular longitudinal function in 151 normal fetuses using velocity vector imaging.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of velocity vector imaging (VVI) in the assessment of normal fetal regional myocardial performance and to establish a normative data set for normal Chinese fetuses.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-one healthy Chinese fetuses were divided into five groups according to their gestational age. Digital dynamic four-chamber views were collected and analyzed offline. The regional tissue velocity, strain, and strain rate of the interventricular septum and left lateral wall were measured in systole and diastole.


RESULTS
Normal systolic and diastolic values for tissue velocity, strain, and strain rate were established. Tissue velocity decreased gradually from the basal segment to the apical segment (P < 0.01), whereas the strain and strain rate were stable among all segments in every group (P > 0.05). Tissue velocity was dependent on gestational age (P < 0.05), whereas strain and strain rate were stable throughout gestation (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
VVI is a novel noninvasive tool for quantitative assessment of regional systolic and diastolic function of the fetal heart. Fetal myocardial velocity, strain, and strain rate measurements can be measured easily and reproducibly. This technique is useful for evaluating cardiac function.
Peng
Qing-Hai
QH
Department of Ultrasonography, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, PR China.
Zhou
Qi-Chang
QC
Zeng
Shi
S
Tian
Lei-Qi
LQ
Zhang
Ming
M
Tan
Yi
Y
Pu
Da-Rong
DR
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D055815:Young Adult