ABSTRACT
Growth of the fetal cardiac ventricle has been monitored by total cardiac diameter
(TCD), left ventricular systolic (LVSD) and diastolic diameter (LVDD), right ventricular
systolic (RVSD) and diastolic diameter (RVDD), left ventricular width (LVW), inter-ventricular
septal width (IVSW), and right ventricular width (RVW) from 19 to 39 weeks, menstrual
age, in 114 normal Japanese fetuses. Growth curves for these parameters have been
determined using a Rossavik growth model [P = c(t)k + s(1)]. R2 values of 89.7, 58.0, 65.3, 77.9, 80.3, 31.1, 30.1, and 26.9 were obtained for TCD,
LVSD, LVDD, RVSD, RVDD, LVW, IVSW, and RVW, respectively. Variability analysis indicated
a progressive increase in variabi I ity with fetal age for these eight parameters.
Variabi Iity data were used with the growth curve models to determine standard curves
for these parameters. These standard curves provide a superior means for evaluating
the normal fetal cardiac growth in the fetus and for identifying congenital heart
anomalies in utero.
Keywords
Rossavik growth model - ultrasound - cardiac ventricle - fetus