title: Shortening fraction of the right ventricle: a comparison between euploid and trisomy 21 fetuses at week 11 to week 13 and 6 days of gestation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to compare the first trimester shortening fraction of the right ventricle (SFRV) values between euploid fetuses and fetuses with trisomy 21.
  
  
  METHODS
  SFRV was measured in 58 first trimester fetuses between September 2008 and February 2010. The stored M-mode images were used to obtain the right ventricular diastolic diameter (RVDD) and right ventricular systolic diameter (RVSD) measurements offline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SFRV values were found to be significantly greater in the 9 fetuses with trisomy 21 as compared to the group of 49 euploid fetuses (mean: 48.6 mm; range: 36-56.25 mm vs mean: 34.11 mm; range: 22.73-43.48 mm) (p < 0.0001). The RVDD measurements were also found to be significantly greater in the fetuses with trisomy 21 than in the euploid fetuses (mean: 3.08 mm; range: 2.2-4.7 mm vs mean: 2.54 mm; range: 1.9-3.6 mm) (p = 0.03).There was no difference in the RVSD measurements between the two groups [mean: 1.56 mm; range: 1.2-2.3 mm (trisomy 21 fetuses) vs mean: 1.67 mm; range: 1.3-2.4 mm (euploid fetuses)] (p = 0.17).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SFRV values in fetuses with trisomy 21 appear to be significantly greater than in the euploid fetuses. The RVDD also appears to be greater in fetuses with trisomy 21 than in the euploid fetuses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fetal Medicine Centre, Charles University, First Medical Faculty and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brestak
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sonek
authors.forename: Viktor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tomek
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calda
mesh_terms: D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right