Showing 4 results for Echocardiography
Nayereh Ghomian, Farveh Vakilian, Bahram Shahri, Vesam Rostaminejad, Majid Khadem-Rezaiyan,
Volume 17, Issue 4 (4-2019)
Abstract
Background: Preeclampsia is one of the most common pregnancy complications, which is one of the major causes of fetal and maternal mortality.
Objective: To compare the serum Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) level in patients with severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy and investigate associated cardiovascular complications.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 94 women with a singleton pregnancy (severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy) at Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. The venous blood samples were collected to evaluate the serum BNP level. All patients were subjected to echocardiography performed by a single cardiologist.
Results: The mean pro-BNP levels were 480.36 ± 754.52 and 67.46 ± 106.24 pg/dL in the severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy patients, respectively (p < 0.001). However, adjusted BNP for maternal and gestational age was not different in the two groups (ANCOVA, p = 0.69). Furthermore, the two study groups showed no significant difference in terms of the cardiac parameters, including ejection fraction (EF), left ventricle end-diastolic and -systolic diameters (LVEDD and LVESD, respectively), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and ratio of the early transmitral flow velocity to the early diastolic tissue velocity (E/Em). However, the serum BNP level showed a significant correlation with EF (r = -0.39, p = 0.008), TAPSE (r = -0.47, p = 0.001), and E/Em ratio (r = 0.48, p = 0.001) in patients with severe preeclampsia.
Conclusion: It seems that BNP can be used as a predictor for some of the main cardiac functional indices (i.e., E/Em, EF, and TAPSE) in severe preeclampsia patients.
Mohammad Reza Alipour, Hossein Moradi, Seyedeh Mahdieh Namayandeh, Fatemeh Majidpour, Zohreh Pezeskpour, Mohammadtaghi Sarebanhassanabadi,
Volume 20, Issue 5 (5-2022)
Abstract
Background: Congenital cardiovascular malformation is the most common group of birth defects. Fetal echocardiography is highly sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease in low- and high-risk populations.
Objective: This study aimed to assess abnormal findings in fetal echocardiography and maternal disease.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 114 pregnant women referred to Afshar hospital, Yazd, Iran from October 2016 to March 2017. All pregnant women underwent fetal echocardiography through fetal heart screening protocol, which is administered by the international society of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology guidelines. Data collected included referral cause, gestational age, maternal age, gravida, and final diagnosis after an accurate fetal echocardiography.
Results: The mean gestational age was 20 wk. The most common referral cause of pregnant women included diabetes (36.8%), fetal arrhythmia (14%), high maternal age (7%), and echogenic focus on ultrasound (6.1%). The most common postpartum findings were normal (68.4%), cardiac abnormalities (17.6%), and arrhythmias (14%). In postnatal echocardiography, the results were consistent with fetal echocardiography except in 2 women.
Conclusion: This study showed that fetal echocardiography can be used in the early diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart diseases.
Mojgan Barati, Nahal Nasehi, Sareh Aberoumand, Mahin Najafian, Abdolrahman Emami Moghadam,
Volume 20, Issue 6 (6-2022)
Abstract
Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most frequently inherited illnesses associated with adverse outcomes.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the referral cause for fetal echocardiography in the final diagnosis of major CHD.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data of 1772 pregnant women, referred to a diagnostic clinic during 2017-2020, were reviewed. Data were collected from participants on maternal age, gestational age, history of previous child's heart disease, body mass, the order of birth of children (baby birth rank), type of woman’s disease, history of poor midwifery, and nuchal translucency (NT).
Results: Of the 1772 pregnant women, only 33 women (1.8%) had a fetus with CHD major. Abnormality in ultrasound (57.6%), history of abortion (36.4%), increased NT and gestational diabetes (18.2%) and Gestational diabetes (18.2%) were identified as the most common referral reasons for fetal echocardiography in these women. Other reason included previous child with Down syndrome (12.1%), previous child with heart disease (12.1%), a history of stillbirth (12.1%), hypothyroidism (12.1%), taking medication during the pregnancy period (9.0), no underlying disease (9.0), multiple pregnancies (6.0%), diagnosis with high-risk fetal heart disease (3.0%), High-risk combined aneuploidy screening test in first trimester (3.0%), in vitro fertilization pregnancy (3.0%), and having a child with intellectual disability (3.0%).
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that ultrasounds abnormality, abortion, increased NT and gestational diabetes are the most important factors for referring pregnant women for fetal echocardiography.
Sedigheh Hantoushzadeh, Amir Amiri, Azadeh Shabani, Yasamin Soufi Enayati, Neda Mostafaeipour, Seyede Houra Mousavi Vahed, Maria Nezamnia, Toktam Sheykhian,
Volume 22, Issue 5 (5-2024)
Abstract
Background: The administration of antenatal corticosteroid is a standard treatment to reduce the rate of perinatal mortality and morbidity; however, there is limited evidence regarding the potential effects of betamethasone on the constriction of the ductus arteriosus (DA).
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of antenatal betamethasone on fetal cardiovascular and circulation status.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental observational (before-after) study was conducted on 32 singleton fetuses. The participants were healthy pregnant women with a diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum who were eligible for 2 doses of betamethasone and referred to prenatal care clinic, Vali-E-Asr hospital, Tehran, Iran from January 2021-May 2022. The results of fetal echocardiography and Doppler sonography were compared before and after the administration of antenatal corticosteroid therapy.
Results: Following betamethasone injection, significant increases were observed in peak systolic and diastolic velocity of the DA without constriction of the DA (p < 0.001, p = 0.002 respectively). However, no significant changes were observed in right ventricular function, tricuspid valve function, Doppler of ductus venous, and peak systolic velocity of the aortic isthmus (p > 0.05). Doppler examination of the uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral arteries also showed no significant changes (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Considering the benefits of antenatal corticosteroid therapy, its administration seems reasonable in preterm births. The transient changes in ductal blood flow are not prohibitive.
