title: Fetal aortic distensibility, compliance and pulse pressure assessment during the second half of pregnancy.
abstract: The objective of the study was to measure fetal aortic pulse wave velocity and lumen diameter waveforms and subsequently calculate local distensibility, compliance and pulse pressure. A dedicated algorithm for optimizing lumen diameter assessment from radiofrequency ultrasound data is described. Biplane raw data were obtained from a matrix array transducer. We evaluated 83 confirmed, normally developing pregnancies at 22-38 wk. Fetal aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV, m/s) = 0.047 × gestational age (wk) + 1.241, and the distensibility coefficient (1/kPa) = 1/(1.04 × PWV(2)). The logarithm of the local compliance index (mm(2)/kPa) and the pulse pressure (kPa) were both linearly related to gestational age as 0.022 × GA (wk) - 0.343 and 0.012 × GA (wk) + 0.931, respectively. In conclusion, fetal aortic elastic properties can be derived from phase-sensitive radiofrequency data and multiline diameter assessment. Future studies may shed further light on the developmental origins of vascular health and disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: p.struijk@obgyn.umcn.nl.
authors.forename: Pieter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Struijk
authors.forename: Hanneke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Migchels
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Chris L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: de Korte
authors.forename: Fred K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Lotgering
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Compliance; Distensibility; Fetal aorta; Pulse Pressure; Pulse wave velocity