Correlation between ductus venosus velocity and right ventricular diastolic function in fetuses with isolated single umbilical artery in third trimester

Abstract Background The cardiac diastolic functions in fetuses with isolated single umbilical artery (SUA) in the third trimester were ealuated using the spectrum of blood flow in the fetal ductus venosus (DV). Methods Color Doppler was employed to visualize the spectra of the fetal DV and tricuspid orifice in 34 fetuses with isolated SUA aged 28–39 weeks and in age-matched healthy controls. The DV flow velocities and velocity ratios were measured. The E/A ratio at the tricuspid orifice and tissue Doppler Tei index of fetal right ventricular in the two groups were measured. Results During the third trimester, the DV atrial systolic peak velocity “a” was lower in the isolated SUA group than in the control group ( P < 0.05). The correlations between the velocity ratios and the E/A ratio at the tricuspid orifice in the two groups were analyzed, and the correlation between the v/D and E/A ratios was the best (R 2 of 0.520 in the isolated SUA group and 0.358 in the control group). The correlations between the velocity ratios and the tissue Doppler Tei index of fetal right ventricular in the two groups were analyzed, and the correlation between the PIV and tissue Doppler Tei index ratios was the best (R 2 of 0.865 in the isolated SUA group and 0.627 in the control group). Conclusions In the isolated SUA group, the atrial systolic peak velocity “a” decreased, which might be related to changes in fetal cardiac functions. v/D was more closely related to the E/A ratio at the tricuspid valve and could be used to identify changes earlier in the isolated and healthy fetuses’ right ventricular diastolic functions. PIV was more closely related to the tissue doppler Tei index of fetal right ventricular and could be used to identify the isolated and healthy fetuses’ right ventricular overall functions.