ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the prenatal ultrasonographic features of absent pulmonary valve syndrome APVS Methods The ultrasonographic images follow-up results and the other clinical data of 1 7 fetuses suffering from APVS were retrospectively analyzed According to the difference of the pulmonary artery diameter subjects were divided into pulmonary artery PA dilated group 14 cases and non-dilated group 3 cases The sonographic features of the two groups were analyzed and compared Results All 1 7 fetuses had rudimentary or absent pulmonary valves and stenosis of the pulmonary annulus Moderate or severe regurgitation flowed through pulmonary artery and right ventricular outflow in diastole PA dilated group might be combined with Tetralogy of Fallot double outlet of right ventricle or right ventricular aneurysm there were 85 7% 12 14 with absent ductus arteriosus The forward flow velocity during systole through pulmonary annulus was significantly fast PA non-dilated group could be accompanied by Ebstein's anomaly or tricuspid atresia Ductus arch was always present The forward flow velocity during systole through pulmonary annulus was slow Conclusions The fetal pulmonary artery diameter with APVS can dilate or not Reverse flow during diastolic period which rushes from arteriosus ductus to the right ventricular outflow tract contributes to the prenatal diagnosis of non-dilated PA.