Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the correlation between fetal myocardial performance index (MPI) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels.
Methods: It is a prospective study involving singleton pregnancies at risk of fetal anemia as a result of maternal anti-D alloimmune disease. Right and left ventricle (LV) MPIs were evaluated by ultrasound up to 72 h before cordocentesis. Zeta-score values for fetal MPI and Hb levels were calculated, and correlation was examined with linear regression analysis. Significance level was set as 0.05.
Results: Fourteen singleton pregnancies underwent 31 cordocentesis procedures at a mean gestation of 28.2 ± 4.1 weeks. Zeta-score values for LV MPI, isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), and ejection time (ET) correlated significantly with fetal Hb zeta-score (LV MPI zeta = 3.816 + 0.336 × Hb zeta, r = 0.59, p < 0.001; LV IRT zeta = 2.643 + 0.218 × Hb zeta, r = 0.45, p = 0.01; LV ET zeta = -2.474 - 0.271 × Hb zeta, r = -0.42, p = 0.02). LV isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) zeta-score and right ventricle (RV) MPI did not show significant correlation (LV ICT zeta, r = 0.35, p = 0.054; RV MPI, r = 0.12, p = 0.53).
Conclusion: LV myocardial performance not only remains preserved but also is actually enhanced in cases of moderate/severe fetal anemia.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.