Fetal cardiac function evaluation: A review |
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| Authors: | Lorenzo Vasciaveo Erika Zanzarelli Francesco D'Antonio |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy;2. Centre for High-Risk Pregnancy and Fetal Care, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy |
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| Abstract: | The aim of this review is to provide an up to date on the current use of fetal echocardiography in assessing the fetal cardiac function and its potential research and clinical applications. Despite classically is been used for prenatal diagnosis of fetal heart defects, assessment of fetal cardiac function has been recently proposed as a fundamental tool to assess pregnancies complicated by several disorders with long-term impact on post-natal cardiovascular health, such as placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction. In this review we present anatomical and functional fetal cardiac development mechanisms and an overview of the currently available techniques for evaluating fetal heart function. |
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| Keywords: | fetal cardiac remodeling fetal echocardiography fetal heart sphericity index |
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