EP04.04: Feasibility of two-dimensional whole wall motion tracking in fetal echocardiography: EP04.04: Feasibility of two-dimensional whole wall motion tracking in fetal echocardiography

Fetal cardiac function has been quantified by pulse-waved Doppler, tissue Doppler and endocardial border tracking by velocity vector imaging (VVI) that has already been described in the fetus with limited success. For the first time the study aimed to show the feasibility of two-dimensional (2D) based speckle tracking of the whole wall motion in the fetus for the assessment of cardiac deformation parameters. Prospective study to present results of fetal peak global longitudinal strain values. For fetal echocardiography a Toshiba Artida system was used. Based on an apical four-chamber view of the fetal heart raw data cine loops with a high temporal resolution were acquired and digitally stored. Peak global and segmental longitudinal strain values of both, left and right ventricle, were assessed. Twenty individual healthy fetuses with an echocardiogram performed between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation (mean 27 ± 5) were enclosed. The temporal resolution was 60 frames per second (fps). Mean peak global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle was −16.34% [−16.91 – (−15.76)], for the right ventricle it was −14.65% [−15.15 – (−14.14)]. In both, left and right ventricle, apical segments showed the highest peak strain values. The assessment of fetal myocardial deformation parameters by 2D whole wall motion tracking is technically feasible and promises reliable analysis of myocardial function.