Stenosis of Alternative Umbilical Venous Pathways in Absence of the Ductus Venosus

Objective. We evaluated fetuses with absence of the ductus venosus (ADV) and restricted alternative umbilical venous pathways. Methods. We identified 3 cases that fit our objective. The angles of insonation for spectral Doppler ultrasound interrogation were less than 20° in all cases. We used commercially available ultrasound systems with a curved array transducer. Results. In all 3 cases, we noted mild cardiac volume overload without fetal hydrops. Conclusions. We speculate that the fetus with ADV and a restrictive alternative umbilical venous pathway may have a more benign clinical course than fetuses previously reported with unrestricted alternative pathways.     

脐静脉和静脉导管的血流参数与围产儿预后的相关性研究

目的本实验主要研究胎儿静脉导管(DV)血流量与脐静脉(UV)血流量比与围产儿预后的关系。方法通过彩色多普勒超声检测晚期妊娠胎儿的DV与UV的血流参数,分别储存图像、记录数据并计算静脉导管血流量与脐静脉血流量比,进行统计学分析。结果围产儿不良结局时静脉导管的血流量与脐静脉血流量比(DVQ/UVQ)显著增加。结论静脉导管与脐静脉血流参数可作为判断围产儿预后的一项重要指标,对指导围产医学具有一定的临床价值。     

Intrahepatic Persistent Right Umbilical Vein and Associated Outcomes

The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the current data surrounding an intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein in the fetus, including associated anomalies and outcomes, and to assist practitioners in counseling and management of affected pregnancies. We performed a MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Northern Light database search for articles reporting outcomes on prenatally diagnosed cases of a persistent right umbilical vein. Each article was independently reviewed for eligibility by the investigators. Thereafter, the data were extracted and validated independently by 3 investigators. A total of 322 articles were retrieved, and 16 were included in this systematic review. The overall prevalence of an intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein was found to be 212 per 166,548 (0.13%). Of the 240 cases of an intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein identified, 183 (76.3%) were isolated. The remaining cases had a coexisting abnormality, including 19 (7.9%) cardiac, 9 (3.8%) central nervous system, 15 (6.3%) genitourinary, 3 (1.3%) genetic, and 17 (7%) placental/cord (predominantly a single umbilical artery). In summary, a persistent right umbilical vein is commonly an isolated finding but may be associated with a coexisting cardiac defect in 8% of cases. Therefore, consideration should be given to fetal echocardiography in cases of a persistent right umbilical vein.     

Umbilical Vein Insertion into the Inferior Vena Cava

This series describes the sonographic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of fetuses with abnormal insertion of the umbilical vein (UV) into the inferior vena cava (IVC). We conducted a retrospective study that described the sonographic features of 6 patients who underwent a routine anatomic scan during early pregnancy. Six patients had a diagnosis of abnormal insertion of the UV to the IVC; in 3, the diagnosis was made at 12 weeks' gestation. Cardiac anomalies were detected in 3 patients, including ventricular septal defects, pericardial effusion, tricuspid and mitral regurgitation, and an aberrant right subclavian artery. Four had noncardiac anomalies, including cystic hygroma and skeletal, brain, and abdominal anomalies. Only 1 fetus who presented with UV insertion into the IVC as an isolated finding had a normal karyotype, resulting in term vaginal delivery. Four other patients had chromosomal abnormalities, including trisomies 13 and 21, Turner mosaicism of 45,XO/46,XY, and Robertsonian translocation, and 1 patient terminated the pregnancy without a karyotype evaluation. Abnormal insertion of the UV into the IVC with agenesis of the ductus venosus can be seen as early as the first trimester. When detected, a detailed anatomic examination should be performed, as well as a fetal karyotype evaluation. Isolated cases of insertion of the UV into the IVC at a position lower than usual may have a good prognosis.     

Ultrasound-Guided Umbilical Venous Catheter Insertion With Alignment of the Umbilical Vein and Ductus Venosus

Previous studies have highlighted the importance of confirming the position of an umbilical venous catheter (UVC) tip by an ultrasound (US) examination. However, methods for preventing insertion into the portal circulation under US guidance have not yet been established. We report 15 cases in which a UVC was successfully passed through the ductus venosus by compressing the upper abdomen near the portal sinus of the liver to align the umbilical vein and ductus venosus under US guidance. The UVC was inserted into the correct position in 14 of the 15 neonates (93%) without complications.     

正常胎儿静脉导管的多普勒血流波型

本文报告了６０例２３～３６周正常孕妇胎儿的静脉导管血流波型，２Ｄ显像静脉导管为一狭窄喇叭样管道，其管腔连接于脐静脉和下腔静脉。最狭窄处的血管内径小于２ｍｍ，脉冲多普勒频谱图为三相型，心室收缩期波峰、心室舒张期波峰、心房收缩期波谷仍为正向频谱。流速测定：心室收缩期峰值平均５５．１±１２．９２ｃｍ／ｓ，心室舒张期峰值平均４７．４５±１３．８７ｃｍ／ｓ，心房收缩期峰值平均为２９．１４±１０．４９ｃｍ／ｓ，平均最大流速４６．０４±１２．３６ｃｍ／ｓ，静脉导管指数０．４８±０．１２［（心室收缩期最大峰值一心房收缩期最大峰值）／心室收缩期最大峰值］。血流量２７．５３±１２．１７ｍｌ／ｍｉｎ，静脉导管与脐静脉血流量之比（ＤＶ／ＵＶ）０．３２±０．１６，本研究表明应用超声多普勒技术可以测定静脉导管血流速度，高流速的静脉导管血流支持含氧较高脐血主要流入卵圆窝左心的理论，正常人类胎儿大约１／３脐静脉血，流入静脉导管。     

Prenatal Sonographic Diagnosis of Premature Constriction of the Fetal Ductus Arteriosus After Maternal Self‐Medication With Benzydamine Hydrochloride

We report 3 cases of prenatal diagnosis of premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus after maternal benzydamine hydrochloride therapy (3‐mg lozenges) in third‐trimester pregnancies. In each case, fetal echocardiography revealed a dilated, hypocontractile right ventricle with severe tricuspid regurgitation and constriction of the ductus arteriosus. Although the effect of indomethacin and other nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on prenatal ductal constriction is well known, readily available over‐the‐counter nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs such as benzydamine can have an equally deleterious effect and are best avoided in the third trimester of pregnancy.     

胎儿静脉导管异位引流至冠状静脉窦产前超声表现:3例报告及文献复习

目的 结合文献及3例临床所见,观察胎儿静脉导管（DV）异位引流至冠状静脉窦（CS）产前超声表现。方法 回顾性分析3胎DV异位引流至CS胎儿,结合文献复习观察其产前超声特征。结果 产前超声于3胎四腔心后切面均见CS扩张,内径分别为3.6、8.2及4.8 mm;DV异位引流至扩张的CS。于1胎（序号1）见4支肺静脉汇入左心房（LA）,DV经房间隔后方于左心房顶绕行至扩张的CS;1胎（序号2）三血管气管切面肺动脉主干左侧见永存左上腔静脉（PLSVC）,旋转探头追踪观察发现DV与CS相连;1胎（序号3）4支肺静脉均回流入LA,三血管气管切面见主动脉弓位于气管右侧、左锁骨下动脉起自降主动脉起始部。结论 产前超声观察胎儿DV异位引流至CS四腔心后切面可见CS扩张,并可合并其他血管畸形。     

Echocardiographic Diagnosis of a Right Coronary Artery-Coronary Sinus Fistula

In this case report, we describe a 67-year-old woman with right coronary artery-coronary sinus fistula. This woman had complaints of chest pain. Ischemic ECG changes and a ventricular tachycardia were detected on her electrocardiogram. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large right coronary artery and a dilated coronary sinus. Drainage of the coronary artery to the coronary sinus was detected by colour flow mapping during transesophageal echocardiographic examination, and a 94 mmHg peak gradient was recorded by continuous wave Doppler at the drainage site. These findings were confirmed by cardiac catheterization. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography can provide definitive confirmation of the right coronary artery-coronary sinus fistula, and can be the diagnostic procedure of choice when this anomaly is suspected.     

Idiopathic Constriction of the Fetal Ductus Arteriosus

Premature constriction or closure of the ductus arteriosus can occur during fetal life. It is a rare phenomenon and has been described secondary to medication or structural lesions or as idiopathic constriction. Premature closure of the ductus arteriosus can lead to progressive right heart dysfunction with tricuspid regurgitation, congestive heart failure, fetal hydrops, and intrauterine death. This series describes diagnosis of fetal ductus arteriosus constriction of unknown etiology in 3 cases, prenatal management, and outcomes. Constriction of the ductus arteriosus can be diagnosed prenatally with careful interrogation of the ductal arch using pulsed Doppler sonography and complete fetal echocardiography. Close monitoring is mandatory to rule out development of right heart failure and to determine the intervention time.     

Mapping the Coronary Sinus and Great Cardiac Vein

GIUDICI, M., et al. : Mapping the Coronary Sinus and Great Cardiac Vein. The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of the pacing and sensing characteristics of electrodes placed in the proximal cardiac veins. A detailed mapping of the coronary sinus (CS) and great cardiac vein (GCV) was done on 25 patients with normal sinus rhythm using a deflectable electrophysiological catheter. Intrinsic bipolar electrograms and atrial and ventricular pacing voltage thresholds were measured. For measurement purposes, the GCV and the CS were each subdivided into distal (D), middle (M), and proximal (P) regions, for a total of six test locations. Within the CS and GCV, the average atrial pacing threshold was always lower (  P < 0.05  ) than the ventricle with an average ventricular to atrial ratio > 5, except for the GCV-D. The average atrial threshold in the CS and GCV ranged from 0.2– to 1.0-V higher than in the atrial appendage. Diaphragmatic pacing was observed in three patients. Atrial signal amplitude was greatest in the CS-M, CS-D, and GCV-P and smaller in the CS-P, GCV-M, and GCV-D. Electrode spacing did not significantly affect P wave amplitude, while narrower electrode spacing attenuated R wave amplitude. The average P:R ratio was highest with 5-mm-spaced electrodes compared to wider spaced pairs. The P:R ratio in the CS was higher (P < 0.05) than in all positions of the GVC. It is possible to pace the atrium independent of the ventricle at reasonably low thresholds and to detect atrial depolarization without undue cross-talk or noise using closely spaced bipolar electrode pairs. The areas of the proximal, middle, and distal CS produced the best combination of pacing and sensing parameters.     

中晚孕胎儿静脉导管a波反向的临床价值

目的 本研究旨在探索静脉导管a波反向在胎儿先天性心脏病(CHD)及胎儿宫内生长受限(FGR)中的临床价值.方法 选取不同孕周的57例孕妇,其中包括FGR胎儿32例,CHD胎儿25例.首先进行常规产前超声检查,然后行静脉导管检查,留取静脉导管彩色多普勒图像及其脉冲多普勒图像,观察是否存在a波反向.异常胎儿随访或产后超声复查,引产胎儿进行解剖对照分析.结果 1例室间隔完整的肺动脉闭锁及1例法洛氏四联症胎儿的静脉导管出现a波反向,1例静脉导管a波反向的FGR胎儿胎死宫内.结论 胎儿静脉导管a波反向有助于前负荷增加为特点的胎儿CHD的检出,是预示FGR胎儿不良结局的危险信号.     

Ductus venosus blood flow resistance and congenital heart defects in the second trimester

PURPOSE: To study the association between fetal cardiac defects and the presence of abnormal blood flow resistance of the ductus venosus during the second trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study included 72 pregnancies with fetal cardiac anomalies and 267 normal pregnancies. In fetuses with cardiac anomalies, Doppler velocimetry resistances of the ductus venosus were serially determined prior to birth. The Doppler velocimetry resistances obtained from fetuses with cardiac anomalies were in turn compared with median values derived from 267 normal pregnancies to compensate for biometric bias due to gestational age. RESULTS: Among the 72 pregnancies with fetal cardiac anomalies, 26 fetuses showed isolated congenital heart disease (CHD) without nonimmune fetal hydrops (NIFH) (group A), 10 fetuses showed isolated CHD with severe heart defects, including atrioventricular valve insufficiency and consecutive cardiogenic NIHF (group B), and 36 fetuses showed chromosomal abnormalities, nonchromosomal extracardiac malformations, noncardiogenic NIHF, and fetal growth restriction summarized as nonisolated CHD (group C). Based on the pulsatility index for the vein of the ductus venosus, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was 0.71, 0.73, and 0.86 for groups A, B, and C, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the 36 fetuses from group C, increased pulsatility index for vein of the ductus venosus (DVPIV) yielded a significant area under the ROC curve (0.86) with a sensitivity of 0.78 and a specificity of 0.78. Increased DVPIVs during the second trimester of pregnancy are highly correlated with fetal cardiac anomalies associated with chromosomal and extracardiac anomalies.     

经食管超声心动图检测冠状窦血流的方法学研究

目的：探讨多平面经食管超声心动图（ＴＥＥ）检测冠状窦解剖结构和血流动力学的方法及其临床应用价值。方法：７３例患者进行了经胸超声心动图（ＴＴＥ）和多平面ＴＥＥ的系统研究,并在其中３４例高血压病患者中利用ＴＥＥ探测冠状窦血流以评价其冠脉血流储备功能。结果：尽管变更的心尖四腔心切面所有患者均可探查到在二尖瓣上与左心房横径平行的冠状窦长轴,但声束与血流夹角明显＞６０°,因此未能获得得满意的冠状窦血流频谱;多平面ＴＥＥ在食管－胃底交界处１０４°（１００°～１１０°）方位时,所有患者均可记录到满意的冠状窦二维图像和血流频谱（声束与血流间的夹角＜３０°）,成功率为１００％。典型的冠状窦血流频谱呈收缩期和舒张期正向频谱和一较小的舒张末期逆向频谱。冠状窦直径在心动周期中呈周期性变化,舒张末期达到最大（４．５３～１２．７ｍｍ,平均８．３５±１．９３ｍｍ）。高血压病的冠脉储备功能明显低于正常对照组（１．９３±０．５５,２．９７±０．５５,Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论：多平面ＴＥＥ探查冠状窦解剖结构和血流动力学方面具有很好的可行性及较高的临床应用价值     

妊娠晚期胎儿动脉导管内径Z评分诊断动脉导管瘤

目的 应用胎儿超声心动图构建妊娠晚期胎儿动脉导管（DA）内径Z评分模型,观察Z评分诊断胎儿动脉导管瘤（DAA）的价值。方法 纳入128胎DAA胎儿（DAA组）和309胎正常胎儿（对照组）,分析孕周（GA）、胎儿双顶径（BPD）及股骨长（FL）与胎儿DA内径之间的关系;构建胎儿DA内径Z评分模型,计算DAA组与对照组DA内径Z评分,观察其诊断DAA的价值。结果 对照组胎儿GA、BPD及FL与胎儿DA内径之间均呈高度线性相关（r均>0.9,P均<0.001）。DAA组胎儿DA内径Z评分各参数均明显高于对照组（P均<0.001）。分别以GA、BPD及FL预测DA内径,DAA组胎儿中,DA内径Z评分>3者各占92.18%、94.53%、98.43%,对照组胎儿中DA内径Z评分>二者各占1.61%、1.94%、1.61%。结论 妊娠晚期胎儿DA内径Z评分模型可定量评估胎儿DA发育情况,有助于诊断DAA并监测病情进展。胎儿DA内径Z评分>2高度提示DAA,>3时可诊断DAA。     

Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Malposition of a Transvenous Pacemaker Lead Through a Sinus Venosus Defect: Follow-up Over 17 Years

The case of a woman with an asymptomatic transvenous left ventricular endocardial pacemaker lead is presented. The chest X ray and the electrocardiogram suggested pacemaker catheter malposition. By two-dimensional echocardiography, the pacemaker lead was shown to cross from the left atrium through the mitral valve and implant in the left ventricular endocardium. The underlying sinus venosus defect and the passage of the electrode through this interatrial communication were directly visualized by transesophageal echocardiography. No thrombotic material attached to the lead was detected corresponding to the patient's uneventful course for surprisingly more than 17 years without evidence of past or present neurological deficiencies or of peripheral embolic phenomena. Thus, no operative correction was performed. Warfarin sodium therapy, however, was initiated.