Prenatal examination of the area and morphology of the atrioventricular valves using four‐dimensional ultrasound in normal and abnormal hearts. (26th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adriaanse, B. M. E.; Uittenbogaard, L. B.; Tromp, C. H. N.; Schaefer, S. S.; Heymans, M. W.; van Vugt, J. M. G.; Haak, M. C.
• Is Part Of: Prenatal diagnosis. Volume 35:Number 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 741
• Page End: 747
• Publication Date: 2015-06-26
• Subjects: Prenatal diagnosis -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.32075
• DOI: 10.1002/pd.4569
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0197-3851

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="pd4569-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Our aim is to evaluate the feasibility to examine the morphology and area of the atrioventricular (AV) valves in normal fetuses and fetuses with cardiac defects using spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC).</p> </sec> <sec id="pd4569-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Atrioventricular valves were analyzed longitudinally in STIC volumes of 74 normal fetuses between the 15th and 36th week of pregnancy. The valve area was measured in a rendered view in diastole, the number of valve leaflets in systole. Longitudinal data analysis was performed using linear mixed models. Fifty fetuses with cardiac defects were examined.</p> </sec> <sec id="pd4569-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Examination of 355 STIC volumes of normal fetuses showed in 82.5% sufficient quality. The tricuspid valve leaflets were seen in 200 (68.3%) volumes and the mitral valve leaflets in 219 (74.7%) volumes. The tricuspid valve showed in 61.1% a round, 29.0% rectangle, and 8.9% elliptical shape and the mitral valve in 60.1% round, 28.0% rectangle, and 10.9% elliptical. Regression analysis revealed a positive relationship of the valve area with gestational age (<italic>p</italic> < 0.0001). Most heart defects with stenosis showed an area below the 5th percentile.</p> </sec> <sec id="pd4569-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Prenatal examination of the morphology and area of the AV valves using four‐dimensional ultrasound is feasible. A rectangular valve opening is normal, which was visualized in about one third of the normal fetuses. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>