G. Mielke et N. Benda, Reference ranges for two-dimensional echocardiographic examination of the fetal ductus arteriosus, ULTRASOUN O, 15(3), 2000, pp. 219-225
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.