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Fetal cardiac function assessed by spatio-temporal image correlation

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Abstract

Background

Three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound have been proposed to be valuable tools for the examination of fetal heart. Spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) is a technique that adds a time component to 3D ultrasound imaging of the fetal heart, so we can evaluate cardiac structures as a 4D cine sequence containing information of one full cardiac cycle. STIC gives the investigator the opportunity to freeze the displayed cardiac loop in end-diastolic and end-systolic phases. By STIC, 3D measurements of both the left and right ventricle can be used to calculate fetal heart stroke volume, cardiac output and ejection fraction, and expressions of cardiac function. The ultimate goal of STIC technique is to improve fetal cardiac function analysis by decreasing the dependency on operator skills required by two-dimensional ultrasound.

Context

In this article, we describe literature practical approach for the examination of the fetal heart function using 4D ultrasound by STIC technique.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics, São Paulo Federal University (UNIFESP), Rua Carlos Weber, 950 apto. 113 Visage, Alto da Lapa, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05303-000, Brazil

    Christiane Simioni, Luciano Marcondes Machado Nardozza, Edward Araujo Júnior, Liliam Cristine Rolo, Ohanna Ana Terasaka, Marina Maccagnano Zamith & Antonio Fernandes Moron

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  1. Christiane Simioni
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  2. Luciano Marcondes Machado Nardozza
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  3. Edward Araujo Júnior
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  5. Ohanna Ana Terasaka
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  6. Marina Maccagnano Zamith
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  7. Antonio Fernandes Moron
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Correspondence to Edward Araujo Júnior.

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Simioni, C., Nardozza, L.M.M., Araujo Júnior, E. et al. Fetal cardiac function assessed by spatio-temporal image correlation. Arch Gynecol Obstet 284, 253–260 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1813-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1813-6

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