Correlation between ductus venosus spectrum and right ventricular diastolic function in isolated single-umbilical-artery foetus and normal foetus in third trimester

BACKGROUND Single umbilical artery(SUA)is the most common umbilical cord malformation in prenatal diagnosis.The presence of an SUA can cause blood circulation disorder in the foetus and functional changes of the foetal heart,affecting foetal circulation.The right ventricular diastolic functions in foetuses with isolated SUA and in normal foetuses in the third trimester were evaluated using the spectral Doppler of blood flow in the foetal ductus venosus(DV).AIM To evaluate the right ventricular diastolic functions in foetuses with isolated SUA and in normal foetuses in the third trimester.METHODS Colour Doppler was used to measure the spectrum of foetal DV and tricuspid orifice in 34 foetuses with isolated SUA aged 28-39 wk and in age-matched healthy controls.The DV flow velocities and velocity ratios were measured.The early passive/late active(E/A)ratio at the tricuspid orifice and tissue Doppler Tei index of the foetal right ventricular in the two groups were also measured.RESULTS During the third trimester,the isolated SUA group showed a lower‘a’-wave peak velocity in the DV than the control group(P<0.05).The correlations between the velocity ratios and E/A ratio at the tricuspid orifice in the two groups were analysed,and the correlation between the ventricular late diastolic velocity/ventricular diastolic peak flow velocity and E/A ratios was the best(R^2of the isolated SUA group:0.520;R2 of the control group:0.358).The correlations between the velocity ratios and tissue Doppler Tei index of foetal right ventricular in the two groups were analysed,and the correlation between the pulsatility index for veins(PIV)and tissue Doppler Tei index ratios was the best(R2 of the isolated SUA group:0.865;R2 of the control group:0.627).CONCLUSION In the isolated SUA group,the atrial systolic peak velocity‘a’decreased,and this finding might be related to the changes in foetal cardiac functions.The ratio of ventricular late diastolic velocity to ventricular diastolic peak flow velocity was closely related to the E/A ratio at the tricuspid valve and can be used to identify changes in the right ventricular diastolic functions of isolated SUA and healthy foetuses.PIV was closely related to the tissue Doppler Tei index of the foetal right ventricular and can be used to identify the right ventricular overall functions of isolated SUA and healthy foetuses.

Utilising ductus venosus Doppler waveform and four-chamber view to screen for foetal cardiac malformation in early second trimester of pregnancy

Background Foetal echocardiography has become a diagnostic method to detect foetal congenital heart disease with high probability. However, it is not only time consuming and but also difficult to visualize outflow tract of foetus early in the second trimester of pregnancy, even for an experienced obstetric uhrasonographer. Recently, many methods for screening foetal cardiac anomalies were explored, but much more work is needed to develop an effective and suitable screening method. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of utilising the ductus venosus （DV） Doppler examination and the four-chamber view of heart to screen for foetal cardiac malformation in early second trimester of pregnancy. Methods Heart and DV of 401 consecutive foetuses in early second trimester （12^＋1- 17^ ＋6 weeks） in high risk pregnancies were examined with Acuson 128 xp/10 or Sequoia 512 ultrasound diagnostic systems. Absent or reversed flow during atrial contraction （A-wave） in the DV was defined as sufficiently abnormal to screen for foetal cardiac malformations. The foetal echocardiographic diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal echocardiography （or postmortem）. The sensitivities of screening tests were compared among the three methods： DV Doppler examination, four-chamber view alone, and the combination of both techniques.Results Satisfactory examinations were obtained in 383/401 foetuses （95%）. Thirty foetuses with cardiac abnormalities were confirmed by neonatal echocardiography （ or postmortem ）. The sensitivity of DV Doppler examination or four-chamber view alone is 63 % （19/30） and 60 % （ 18/30）, respectively. The sensitivity of combining information, DV Doppler flow waveform and four-chamber view, to screen for foetal cardiac malformation is 83% （25/30） and significantly better than that of either DV Doppler flow waveform or four chamber view alone （ P 〈 0. 05 ）. Conclusion Doppler flow waveform of DV can be used to screen for foetal cardiac malformation early in the second trimester. Combining information from Doppler flow waveform of DV and four-chamber view will improve the overall sensitivity of the screening.

Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt complicated by the development of hepatocellular carcinoma

Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt,also known as Abernethy malformation, is a rare congenital malformation. It causes shunting of blood through a communication between the portal and systemic veins such as a patent ductus venous. We report 3 cases of Abernethy malformation complicated by the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, we comprehensively reviewed all previously reported cases and highlighted common features that may help in early diagnosis and appropriate management.Patients with Abernethy malformation may have an increased propensity to develop hepatocellular carcinoma. All 5 previously reported cases, plus the three of our patients, have a type 1（complete） shunt suggesting a role for absent portal blood flow in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt should be sought for in cases with raised serum ammonia, hepatic encephalopathy or hepatocellular carcinoma in the absence of cirrhosis.