Quantification Of Doppler Flow Parameters Of The Right Pulmonary Artery Of Normal Fetuses Using Fetal Doppler Echocardiography

Objective:To investigate the features of peak systolic velocity(PSV),pulsatility index(PI)and resistance index(RI)of Doppler flow parameters in normal fetal right pulmonary artery branches(RPA),and to establish a quantitative index for normal features.Methods:Two hundred seventy-three normal fetuses were divided into 4 groups according to the gestational ages(GA).The PSV,PI and RI of proximal,middle and distal segments of the RPA were measured by using fetal Doppler echocardiography,establish normal reference values,and the mean values were matched and compared with among different groups by using scatter plot,correlation analysis.Results:Fetal hemodynamic parameters of RPA from proximal to distal,PSV gradually decreased,PI and RI gradually increased,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).PSV showed a linear positive correlation with GA,PI?RI were negatively correlated with GA,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.01).Conclusion:Fetal Doppler echocardiography can quantitatively assess the flow dynamics of fetal RPA and quantitatively assess fetal lung circulation development and hemodynamic changes.