Three-vessel view of the fetal heart: In utero development of the great vessels

• Published in: Prenatal diagnosis 2007-02, Vol.27 (2), p.158-163
• Main Authors: Moon, Min Hoan, Cho, Jeong Yeon, Park, Eun Jung, Min, Jee Yeon, Kim, Jeong-Ah, Jung, Sung Il, Song, Mi Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aorta - diagnostic imaging; Aorta - embryology; Biological and medical sciences; Echocardiography; Female; Fetal Development - physiology; fetus; Gestational Age; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; heart; Heart - embryology; Humans; Management. Prenatal diagnosis; Medical sciences; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Prospective Studies; Pulmonary Artery - diagnostic imaging; Pulmonary Artery - embryology; Reference Values; Ultrasonography, Prenatal - methods; ultrasound; Vena Cava, Superior - diagnostic imaging; Vena Cava, Superior - embryology
• ISSN: 0197-3851; 1097-0223
• DOI: 10.1002/pd.1642

Objectives The purpose of our study is to provide reference values for the great vessels obtained from images of the three‐vessel view of the fetal heart, with an emphasis on the size discrepancy of the great vessels. Methods From February 2003 to May 2003, the main pulmonary artery (MPA), ascending aorta (AA), and SVC were measured in well‐dated, nonanomalous fetuses scanned at 14–38 weeks of gestation. Results The size of each great vessel had a significant positive relationship with advance in gestation (P < 0.001); MPA (mm) = − 2.76 + 0.34 × GA, ascending aorta (AA) (mm) = − 1.73 + 0.26 × GA − 1.18E − 05 × GA3, and SVC (mm) = 0.33 + 0.01 × GA2 − 4.12E − 05 × GA3. The AA/MPA ratio was significantly decreased with advance in gestation, while the SVC/AA ratio was significantly increased; AA/MPA ratio = − 1.24 − 0.03 × GA + 3.88E − 04 × GA2; P < 0.001, SVC/AA ratio = 0.63 − 5.43E − 03 × GA + 1.96E − 04 × GA2; P < 0.001. Conclusion On the three‐vessel view of the fetal heart, the interpretation of the size discrepancy of the great vessels needs to be adjusted according to fetal growth. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.