Published online Dec 6, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i23.5866
Peer-review started: April 18, 2020
First decision: September 14, 2020
Revised: September 23, 2020
Accepted: October 26, 2020
Article in press: October 26, 2020
Published online: December 6, 2020
Processing time: 229 Days and 20.7 Hours
Single umbilical artery (SUA) is the most common umbilical cord malformation in prenatal diagnosis. The presence of an SUA can cause blood circulation disorder in the foetus and functional changes of the foetal heart, affecting foetal circulation.
We used ductus venosus (DV) velocity for the evaluation of right ventricular diastolic function in foetuses with isolated SUA and in those with normal cardiac anatomy.
The right ventricular diastolic functions in foetuses with isolated SUA and normal foetuses in the third trimester were evaluated using the spectral Doppler of blood flow in the foetal DV.
Colour Doppler was used to measure the spectrum of foetal DV and tricuspid orifice in SUA foetuses and in age-matched healthy controls. The DV flow velocities and velocity ratios were measured. The early passive/late active ratio at the tricuspid orifice and tissue Doppler Tei index of the foetal right ventricular in the two groups were measured.
During the third trimester, the isolated SUA group showed a lower ‘a’-wave peak velocity in the DV than the control group. The correlation between the ventricular late diastolic velocity/ventricular diastolic peak flow velocity and early passive/late active ratios was the best. The correlation between the pulsatility index for veins and tissue Doppler Tei index ratios was the best.
The spectral Doppler of blood flow in the foetal DV can be used to identify the right ventricular diastolic functions of isolated SUA and healthy foetuses.
Through the detection of spectral Doppler of blood flow in the foetal DV between the isolated SUA group and the control group, we can accurately evaluate the foetal ventricular diastolic function of isolated SUA to provide more accurate and objective diagnosis and treatment basis for the clinic.