Myocardial performance index in fetal anemia.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to examine the correlation between fetal myocardial performance index (MPI) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels.


METHODS
It is a prospective study involving singleton pregnancies at risk of fetal anemia as a result of maternal anti-D alloimmune disease. Right and left ventricle (LV) MPIs were evaluated by ultrasound up to 72 h before cordocentesis. Zeta-score values for fetal MPI and Hb levels were calculated, and correlation was examined with linear regression analysis. Significance level was set as 0.05.


RESULTS
Fourteen singleton pregnancies underwent 31 cordocentesis procedures at a mean gestation of 28.2 ± 4.1 weeks. Zeta-score values for LV MPI, isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), and ejection time (ET) correlated significantly with fetal Hb zeta-score (LV MPI zeta = 3.816 + 0.336 × Hb zeta, r = 0.59, p < 0.001; LV IRT zeta = 2.643 + 0.218 × Hb zeta, r = 0.45, p = 0.01; LV ET zeta = -2.474 - 0.271 × Hb zeta, r = -0.42, p = 0.02). LV isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) zeta-score and right ventricle (RV) MPI did not show significant correlation (LV ICT zeta, r = 0.35, p = 0.054; RV MPI, r = 0.12, p = 0.53).


CONCLUSIONS
LV myocardial performance not only remains preserved but also is actually enhanced in cases of moderate/severe fetal anemia.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Renata Almeida
RA
de Assunção
Adolfo Wenjaw
AW
Liao
Maria
M
de Lourdes Brizot
Rossana Pulcineli Vieira
RP
Francisco
Marcelo
M
Zugaib
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies