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Possible usefulness of echocardiographic Z-scores in autopsy routine of the foetal great vessels
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Abstract
Aim: To compare diameters of great arteries measured in specimens fixed in 10% formalin solution to normal values obtained on echocardiography using Z-scores.
Material and methods: The study was performed on 43 formalin-fixed normal foetal hearts aged from 19 to 40 weeks of gestation. Each specimen was dissected and the following diameters were measured: aortic valve (AoV), ascending aorta (AAo), descending aorta (DAo), aortic isthmus (AoI), ductus arteriosus (DA), pulmonary trunk valve (PV), and pulmonary arteries (RPA and LPA). Z-score parameters were calculated for all structures using the Foetal Echo Z-score Calculator.
Results: Z-score values of all measured foetuses were mostly found to fit within the echocardiographic norms, although the most reliable results were obtained for foetuses aged 23 weeks. This group was represented by the highest number of specimens. The minimal and maximal Z-score values were, respectively: AoV –3.45, 1.4; AAo –4.24, –0.11; DAo –2.12, 1.29; PV –3.21, 0.69; RPA –3.4, 0.84; LPA –2.25, 0.31; AoI –1.97, 0.96; DA –3.56, –1.52.
Conclusions: The diameters of great arteries measured on autopsy are comparable to the results obtained from echocardiographic measurement. Z-score values for foetal echocardiography can be applied to post-mortem examination.
Abstract
Aim: To compare diameters of great arteries measured in specimens fixed in 10% formalin solution to normal values obtained on echocardiography using Z-scores.
Material and methods: The study was performed on 43 formalin-fixed normal foetal hearts aged from 19 to 40 weeks of gestation. Each specimen was dissected and the following diameters were measured: aortic valve (AoV), ascending aorta (AAo), descending aorta (DAo), aortic isthmus (AoI), ductus arteriosus (DA), pulmonary trunk valve (PV), and pulmonary arteries (RPA and LPA). Z-score parameters were calculated for all structures using the Foetal Echo Z-score Calculator.
Results: Z-score values of all measured foetuses were mostly found to fit within the echocardiographic norms, although the most reliable results were obtained for foetuses aged 23 weeks. This group was represented by the highest number of specimens. The minimal and maximal Z-score values were, respectively: AoV –3.45, 1.4; AAo –4.24, –0.11; DAo –2.12, 1.29; PV –3.21, 0.69; RPA –3.4, 0.84; LPA –2.25, 0.31; AoI –1.97, 0.96; DA –3.56, –1.52.
Conclusions: The diameters of great arteries measured on autopsy are comparable to the results obtained from echocardiographic measurement. Z-score values for foetal echocardiography can be applied to post-mortem examination.
Keywords
cardiac morphology; foetal anatomy; foetal echocardiography; perinatal autopsy
Title
Possible usefulness of echocardiographic Z-scores in autopsy routine of the foetal great vessels
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
86-92
Published online
2012-05-30
Page views
542
Article views/downloads
1959
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2012;71(2):86-92.
Keywords
cardiac morphology
foetal anatomy
foetal echocardiography
perinatal autopsy
Authors
A. Grzyb
J. Skrzypecki
A. Koleśnik
C.S. Niszczota