Yolanda BW.indd

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate ductus venosus fl ow velocities and a possible relationship with the type of cardiac defect in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT). Methods Seventy-two fetuses with normal NT and 137 fetuses with increased NT (>95th percentile) were evaluated. The ductus venosus pulsatility index for veins (PIV), late diastolic velocity (velocity during atrial contraction (a-V)), and intracardiac velocities were evaluated. In case of pregnancy termination, a post-mortem examination was performed. Cardiac defects were grouped into septal defects, left and right infl ow obstruction, left and right outfl ow obstruction and other defects. Data were evaluated by multilevel analysis. Results A cardiac defect was found in 45 fetuses with increased NT. Fetuses with increased NT showed a higher ductus venosus PIV and lower a-V compared to fetuses with a normal NT (P <.05). Within the group of fetuses with increased NT, a higher PIV and lower a-V were found in case of a cardiac defect compared to cases with a normal heart (p<.001). No diff erences in PIV and a-V were found between the types of cardiac defects. Intracardiac velocities showed no diff erences between fetuses with normal and increased NT, irrespective of the presence of a cardiac defect. Conclusion Ductus venosus fl ow velocities in fetuses with an increased NT are not related to a certain type of a cardiac defect. This indicates that the altered ductus venosus fl ow velocities found in fetuses with an increased NT can not be explained by cardiac failure due to a specifi c altered cardiac anatomy. Yolanda BW.indd 48 21-12-10 13:52