Evaluation of ductus venosus and inferior vena cava by using multiple Doppler ultrasound parameters in healthy fetuses

Abstract

The VAT, a Doppler parameter still not described elsewhere, increased during pregnancy could be related to a longer period of time needed to fill the atrium in bigger hearts. In this study, we provide reference values for VAT in healthy fetuses.

Reference ranges for time‐related analysis of ductus venosus flow velocity waveforms in singleton pregnancies

“…Gallarreta et al measured ‘venous acceleration time’, which we defined as acc‐S, in normal fetuses. Their finding that venous acceleration time has no significant linear regression with gestational age is compatible with our result that acc‐S did not change . In a study of monochorionic twins, Bensouda et al reported on early diastolic filling time (eT) and total diastolic filling time (FT), which correspond to acc‐D and acc‐D + dec‐D in our study, respectively .…”

“…This is followed by a second peak corresponding to early diastole (D‐wave) and the nadir of flow velocities coincides with atrial contraction (a‐wave). Only few reports have previously been published regarding the intervals of time analysis of DV‐FVW …”

Time Interval Measurements of the Ductus Venosus During the Early Second Trimester of Pregnancy: Reference Ranges and Clinical Application

“…The changing trends in the systolic phase of the ductus venosus established in this study were in accordance with previous reports . Gallarreta et al also illustrated that the venosus acceleration time of the ductus venosus increased significantly from 22 to 26 weeks, but in the diastolic phase, the predicted directions were quite different. Nakagawa et al found that both the accelerating and decelerating periods of ventricular diastole were strongly positively correlated with advanced gestation.…”

“…Three previous studies focusing on the time interval analysis of the ductus venosus reported different variables . Only 2 studies with some overlapping patients covered the early second trimester of pregnancy, which is the key moment for detailed anatomic scanning, particularly fetal echocardiography, and for invasive fetal therapy in select cases.…”

Evaluation of Normal Fetal Ductus Venosus Using B‐Flow Imaging with Spatiotemporal Image Correlation and Traditional Color Doppler Echocardiography

“…For example, a marker of fetal acidosis and an increased risk of perinatal death is an increased DV blood velocity . A previous study reported an increase in the velocity and decrease in the pulsatility index of the DV at all gestational ages . Fetuses with congenital heart disease had a larger than normal DV size, and an abnormal DV pulsatility index …”