Reference ranges for two-dimensional echocardiographic examination of the fetal ductus arteriosus

Objectives To establish reference ranges for 2D-echocardiographic examinati on of the fetal ductus arteriosus and its relationship to the main pulmonar y artery and the aorta. Methods A prospective cross-sectional echocardiographic study was performed in 222 normal fetuses from 13 to 41 weeks of gestation using high resoluti on/color Doppler ultrasound equipment. Results Gestational age-specific reference ranges are given for the diamete r of the pulmonary valve anulus, diameter of the ductus arteriosus at its b eginning, middle, and end, ductal length, ductal diameter-to-pulmonary valv e anulus diameter ratio, and the spatial relationship of the ductus arterio sus to the main pulmonary artery and to the aorta. Conclusions The presented data derived from a study group of 222 normal fet uses provide in-vivo insights into the morphology of the ductus arteriosus and its relationship to the adjacent vessels. The reference ranges may be h elpful in prenatal diagnosis of cardiac malformations and abnormalities of the ductus arteriosus, such as obstruction or aneurysm from 13 to 41 weeks of gestation.