Clinical value of echocardiography in examining fetal tricuspid regurgitation

AIM:To explore the clinical value of echocardiography in examining tricuspid regurgitation in fetuses. METHODS: Four hundred and sixty fetuses with highrisk factors, aged from 20-40 gestational weeks, were examined by echocardiography (Philips Sonos7500 ultrasound diagnostic apparatus). Tricuspid regurgitation conditions and highrisk factors were recorded and the prenatal echocardiographic diagnoses were confirmed by fetal autopsy or postnatal echocardiographic examination. Seven hundred and sixty fetuses without highrisk factors, aged from 20-40 gestational weeks, were enrolled as the control group. RESULTS: Fiftynine fetuses with tricuspid regurgitation were detected in the highrisk group, the detection rate being 12.83% and 21 fetuses with tricuspid regurgitation were detected in the control group, the detection rate being 4.67%, with significant difference between groups (χ2=18.89, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Echocardiography is sensitive in detecting fetal tricuspid regurgitation. Detection of fetuses with tricuspid regurgitation is very important in assessing fetal heart malformation, cardiac dysfunction or arrhythmia and is also valuable for the clinical treatment and prognosis of the fetuses.