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Measurement of fetal automated fractional shortening using two-dimensional tracking in multiple centers

  • Original Article–Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Abstract

Purpose

To establish a normal reference range for automated fractional shortening (Auto FS) in normal singleton fetuses measured at multiple centers.

Methods

This study was conducted from May 2017 to March 2019. It was undertaken on normal singleton fetuses. First, a four-chamber view of the fetal heart was recorded in the B-mode. Then, the region of interest was set on the edge of the ventricular septum and on the edge of the ventricular muscle at a point one-third away from the atrioventricular valve and toward the cardiac apex. Tracking was automatically performed. Values measured in the right ventricle were defined as R-Auto FS, and in the left ventricle as L-Auto FS. Furthermore, combined-Auto FS was defined as the measurement across both ventricles.

Results

A total of 442 normal fetuses were assessed. R-Auto FS decreased significantly with gestational age, and L-Auto FS showed a similar tendency (Spearman’s correlation analysis: rs =  − 0.415 and rs =  − 0.252, respectively). Combined-Auto FS showed a similar decline as the gestational age increased (rs =  − 0.451).

Conclusion

In this study, we succeeded in defining a reference Auto FS value not only at one institution but also multiple centers. This study suggests that Auto FS can be used clinically and effectively.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Nos.: JP16K11114 and 19K09788).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toho University Omori Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan

    Sumito Nagasaki, Masahiko Nakata, Mayumi Takano, Junya Sakuma & Mineto Morita

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Medical Center, Kochi, Japan

    Ryuhei Nagai

  3. Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Perinatal Medical Center, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Japan

    Susumu Miyashita

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan

    Yuichiro Takahashi & Shigenori Iwagaki

  5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Urayasu, Japan

    Yuka Yamamoto

Authors
  1. Sumito Nagasaki
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  2. Masahiko Nakata
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  3. Mayumi Takano
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  4. Junya Sakuma
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  5. Ryuhei Nagai
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  6. Susumu Miyashita
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  7. Yuichiro Takahashi
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  8. Shigenori Iwagaki
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  9. Yuka Yamamoto
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  10. Mineto Morita
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masahiko Nakata.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical statement

This study was approved by the ethical committee at our institution (ID Nos.: A18013 and A16047), and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

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Cite this article

Nagasaki, S., Nakata, M., Takano, M. et al. Measurement of fetal automated fractional shortening using two-dimensional tracking in multiple centers. J Med Ultrasonics 48, 83–90 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-020-01069-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-020-01069-9

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