Z-scores Quantitative Research Of Aortic And Pulmonary Diameters Growth In Normal Fetuses In Second And Late Trimesters

ObjectiveTo compare the pattern of aorta(AO)and pulmonary artery(PA)diameter growth with biological growth parameters in normal middle-late fetuses.To explore the application of Z-score in the assessment of aorta(AO)and pulmonary artery(PA)diameter growth in second and late trimesters.So as to provide more accurate quantitative evaluation methods for normal fetal heart and congenital heart disease.MethodsAO and PA diameters were measured twice by using fetal echocardiography in 332 normal fetuses,and non-cardiac fetal biometric parameters included biparietal diameter(BPD)?femoral length(FL)and an assessment of gestation age(GA)based on menstrual age.Z-scores were developed for AO and PA using GA,BPD and FL as independent variables with a simple linear equation.Z-score=(AO/PA actual measurement value-AO/PA predicted value based on BPD/FL/GA)/predicted value SD.The difference between Z-scores values calculated by twice examinations were compared.Results1.332 cases of fetal echocardiography twice:GA:The first:25.8±2.27ws(range 18?35ws);The second:30.6±2.28ws(range 23?39ws).The mean value of AO:The first:4.3 ± 0.60mm(range:2.2?6.8mm)?The second:5.5± 0.59mm(range:3.3?7.5mm).The mean value of PA:The first:5.4±0.72mm(range:2.8?8.2mm)?The second:6.9±0.70mm(range:4.4-8.8mm).AO and PA diameters between twice examinations were statistically significant(P value<0.05).The mean value of PA/AO:The first:1.25±0.04(range:1.19?1.40).The second:1.26?0.04(range:1.20-1.38).2.Found two echocardiography AO,PA diameter increased with the growth of GA?BPD and FL by establishing the linear regression equation.The difference was statistically significant(P value<0.05).3.Z-scores of AO and PA with the growth of GA?BPD and FL remain constant.No statistical significant difference had been found in Z-scores of AO and PA between twice examinations(P value>0.05).ConclusionsStatistical analysis shows that the linear regression equation can better display the correlation between AO and PA diameter increased with the growth of GA?BPD and FL.While AO and PA diameters increased with the growth of GA?BPD and FL,Z-scores of AO and PA with the growth of GA?BPD and FL remain constant.The Z-score can quantitatively and accurately evaluate the developmental trend of the normal cardiovascular line of fetal heart,and can provide a reference for the clinical evaluation of normal and congenital heart disease.