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Relationship between Cardiofemoral Index and the plasma concentration of brain natriuretic peptide in anemic fetuses associated with Rh alloimmunization

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An Erratum to this article was published on 31 December 2008

Abstract

Background

Fetal anemia is a common result of alloimunization and is an important cause of fetal congestive heart failure resulting in heart dilation. Fetuses suspected of having heart failure present a higher Cardiofemoral Index and an increase in plasma BNP levels, because the cardiac hormonal system is activated by increased heart wall stretch due to increased left ventricular volume and pressure overload.

Methods

Our group studied 33 pregnant women (22–31 weeks’ gestation at the first cordocentesis) referred for intrauterine fetal transfusion due to severe red blood cells isoimmunization. Up to 6 h prior to each cordocentesis, all fetuses were submitted to ultrasonography measurements where the Cardiofemoral Index was calculated. Samples of blood from the umbilical vein were collected for hemoglobin concentration and blood gas measurements. Plasma levels of BNP were determined with the use of plasma that had previously been frozen and thawed once. Plasma BNP was measured by radioimmunoassay. Pearson’s correlation test and regression analysis were used to determine the association between the plasma concentration of BNP and the Cardiofemoral Index of the anemic fetuses with RH alloimmunization.

Results

Anemia was severe in 17 (50%) fetuses, mild in 9 (26.47%) and in 8 patients (23.53%) the fetuses were not anemic; hemoglobin ranged from 3.10 to 15.70 g/dl. The Cardiofemoral Index ranged from 0.43 to 0.87 and it was altered (≥0.59) in 23 fetuses. A significant positive correlation was observed between BNP plasma fetal concentration and Cardiofemoral Index (Pearson r = 0.61, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

These results suggest that fetal plasma concentration of BNP may increase in fetuses with heart dilation leading to a positive association between Cardiofemoral Index and plasma concentration of BNP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fetal Medicine Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Ana Luíza Penido Ferreira, Zilma Silveira Nogueira Reis, Jacqueline Braga, Henrique Vitor Leite & Antônio Carlos Vieira Cabral

  2. Avenida Alfredo Balena, 190–4. andar, CEP 30130100, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Ana Luíza Penido Ferreira, Zilma Silveira Nogueira Reis, Jacqueline Braga, Henrique Vitor Leite & Antônio Carlos Vieira Cabral

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  1. Ana Luíza Penido Ferreira
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  2. Zilma Silveira Nogueira Reis
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Correspondence to Ana Luíza Penido Ferreira.

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An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-008-0903-1

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Ferreira, A.L.P., Reis, Z.S.N., Braga, J. et al. Relationship between Cardiofemoral Index and the plasma concentration of brain natriuretic peptide in anemic fetuses associated with Rh alloimmunization. Arch Gynecol Obstet 279, 335–339 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-008-0728-y

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