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Foetal cardiac function: assessing new technologies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 September 2014

Helena M. Gardiner
Helena M. Gardiner*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences, The Texas Fetal Centre, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
*
Correspondence to: Professor H. M. Gardiner, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences, The Texas Fetal Centre, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, University of Texas, 6410 Fannin, Suite 700, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America. Tel: +1 832 325 7288; Fax: +1 7133831464; E-mail: Helena.m.gardiner@uth.tmc.edu
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Abstract

Assessment of foetal cardiac function is more challenging than in the adult, in whom emerging technologies are tested. The postnatal cardio-respiratory interaction is replaced by the cardio-placental circulation and impedance of the brain, and distal vascular beds play an important role in modulating flow to enable its redistribution in the foetal body. Prenatal specialists, comprising obstetricians and cardiologists, have tested a variety of traditional methodologies, as well as non-Doppler offline ultrasound methods in the foetus. This article reviews the development of techniques, outlines their use, and draws attention to pitfalls in adapting technologies validated in the adult heart to the small, fast beating, remote, and largely ungated foetal heart.

Keywords

Foetal cardiac functionfoetal echocardiographyDopplerstrain
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 24 , Issue S2: Fetal cardiovascular medicine: current perspectives and future hopes , October 2014 , pp. 26 - 35
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2014 

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