References Values of Fetal Heart Myocardial Volume by Three-Dimensional Ultrasound using Spatiotemporal Image Correlation and Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis Methods and Their Applicability in Pregestational Diabetic Women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine reference values for myocardial volume of the fetal heart using three-dimensional ultrasound with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) and virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) and to assess their applicability in women with pregestational diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 177 normal pregnant women with fetuses between 200/7 and 336/7 weeks of age. Fetal cardiac volumes were collected using the STIC method, and myocardial volume was obtained by subtraction of the intracavitary volumes using the VOCAL 30-degree method. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility values were determined using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). Sixteen women with pregestational diabetes mellitus were evaluated for validation. RESULTS: There was a strong correlation between fetal myocardial volume and gestational age (R 2 = 0.82). Intra- and interobserver reproducibility values were excellent and moderate, respectively, with CCCs of 0.99 and 0.83, respectively. There was no significant difference in mean fetal myocardial volume between normal pregnant women and those with pregestational diabetes (p = 0.64). CONCLUSION: Reference values for myocardial volume of the fetal heart were determined in normal pregnant women and were not statistically different from those in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus.

Fetal Cardiac Function and Ventricular Volumes Determined by Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Using STIC and VOCAL Methods in Fetuses from Pre-gestational Diabetic Women.

To assess the fetal cardiac function and ventricular volumes by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound using spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) and virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) methods in fetuses from pre-gestational diabetic women. This was a prospective and cross-sectional study that evaluated 53 fetuses from pre-gestational diabetic women and 53 fetuses from healthy mothers between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation. Only fetuses with no structural or genetic abnormalities and singleton pregnant women were included in this study. The fetal cardiac volumes were assessed by STIC and VOCAL methods. The ejection fraction, stroke volume, and cardiac output were calculated from these measurements to evaluate fetal cardiac function. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare the two groups. For calculation of intra- and interobserver reproducibility's, we used concordance correlation coefficients. The mean differences in the right atrial volumes between the diabetic and normal groups ranged from 0.05 mL to 0.1 mL (p = 0.917 and 0.355, respectively). The median of left atrium (LA) volume measurement in pre-gestational diabetic group was significantly lower than healthy mothers (LA: 0.62 vs. 0.68 mL; p < 0.001). The fetal right and left ventricular volumes were similar in both groups. No significant differences in ejection fraction, stroke volume and cardiac output were observed (p value range 0.086-0.815). The majority of fetal atrial/ventricular volumes showed good intra- and interobserver reliabilities. Conversely, the majority cardiac function parameters showed poor intra- and interobserver agreements. STIC and VOCAL methods gave reproducible quantitative results for fetal atrial and ventricular volumes. Significant differences in fetal left atrial volumes were observed between the two groups, which be related to LA atrial dysfunction and /or left ventricle (LV) compliance, reflecting earlier stages of cardiac dysfunction.

Reference range of fetal myocardial area by three-dimensional ultrasonography and its applicability in fetuses of pre-gestational diabetic women.

Objective To determine the reference range for the myocardial area in healthy fetuses using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography and validate these results in fetuses of pregnant women with pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods This cross-sectional retrospective study included 168 healthy pregnant women between gestational weeks 20 and 33+6 days. The myocardial area was measured using spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) in the four-chamber view. Polynomial regression models were used, and the goodness of fit of the models were evaluated by the coefficient of determination (R2). Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was determined using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). Validation was performed in 30 pregnant women with pre-gestational DM. Results There was a strong correlation (R2=0.71, P<0.0001) between myocardial area and gestational age. There was good intra- and inter-observer reproducibility, with a CCC of 0.86 and 0.83, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the mean myocardial area between healthy fetuses and fetuses of women with pre-gestational DM (0.11 cm2, P=0.55). Conclusion The reference range was determined for the myocardial area in fetuses, and there was no significant difference in this variable between healthy fetuses and the fetuses of women with pre-gestational DM.