Evaluation of foetal mitral annular plane systolic excursion with conventional m-mode ultrasound in normal pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Foetal mitral annular plane systolic excursion (fMAPSE) helps in the evaluation of the left foetal cardiac function, which is key in the early diagnosis of congenital heart defects and abnormalities. Objectives: To assess foetal MAPSE in the second half of normal pregnancy, to establish reference ranges for this measurement in our environment, and to determine the relationship between foetal MAPSE and gestational age and estimated foetal weight. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2022 and August 2022 at the Obstetric Units and Radiology Departments of the two tertiary facilities, one secondary facility and one radiodiagnostic facility in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Consenting pregnant women presenting to the antenatal clinics of the study centres during the second half of pregnancy were consecutively included. Obstetric ultrasound scans were was transabdominally. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25. Results: The correlation coefficient (ɼ) between fMAPSE and gestational age was 0.21 with a p-value of 0.001, reflecting a significant but weak relationship between fMAPSE and gestational age. There was a positively weak but significant relationship (ɼ = 0.29; p -0.001) between fMAPSE and estimated foetal weight. Conclusion: Our study revealed that there was a significant relationship between fMAPSE and gestational age, and between fMAPSE and estimated foetal weight, which correlates with published data around the globe.