Reference ranges for fetal pulmonary venous blood flow parameters and changes in hypoplastic left heard syndroms (HLHS)

Objectives Our main objectiv was to analyse changes in fetal pulmonary venous blood flow pattern in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Furthermore, we aimed to establish reference ranges of the pulmonary venous blood flow pattern for the second half of pregnancy in healthy human fetuses. We contrasted these ranges with present normative data and with pulmonary venous Doppler parameters of fetuses with HLHS.

Methods A total of 400 women with uncomplicated pregnancies of between 18 and 41 weeks of gestation were examined to provide normative data for the second an third trimester of pregnancy. In 29 fetuses with prenatally diagnosed obstructed left atrium (hypoplastic left heart syndrome). Doppler examinations of the pulmonary veins were performed and the time velocity integral (TVI), enddiastolic (A) velocity, and pulsatility index for veins (PIV) were determined.

Results This study demonstrates a marked change in fetal pulmonary venous blood flow pattern in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. We will present an extensive comparison of these measured Doppler parameters with our own reference ranges. The possible role of intrauterin Doppler flow changes and postnatal outcome will be discussed in detail.

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Doppler ultrasound - congenital heart defects - fetal Doppler - fetal echocardiography - fetal venous flow - hypoplastic left heart syndrome - normative data - pulmonary vein - reference range