Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess myocardial function of fetuses who were exposed to intraamniotic infection compared with fetuses of uncomplicated pregnancies by the application of tissue Doppler and strain rate (SR) imaging. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the right ventricular function of fetuses with preterm premature rupture of membranes and proven intraamniotic infection (n = 12 fetuses) and healthy fetuses (n = 27). Tissue Doppler velocities during early diastolic relaxation (E(m)) and atrial contraction (A(m)) and early diastolic SR were measured as indices of diastolic function, whereas the peak systolic strain and SR were used as parameters of systolic function. RESULTS: Fetuses with intraamniotic infection exhibit impairment in both diastolic and systolic performance, which was characterized by increased diastolic compliance (increased E(m)/A(m) ratio, increased early diastolic SR compared with the control fetuses), decreased systolic contractile function (reduced systolic strain and SR), and longitudinal myocardial dyskinesia. CONCLUSION: New echocardiographic tools suggest that fetal heart is a target organ in the context of intraamniotic infection.

Autore Pugliese

• Di Naro Edoardo , Loverro Giuseppe

Tutti gli autori

• DI NARO E.;LOVERRO G.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2010

ISSN

0002-9378

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

28

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

22

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile