Key result
FetalHQ detects ~53% greater fetal LV mass at midtrimester in pregnancies with pre-gestational diabetes.
Why the study?
FetalHQ semi-automated speckle-tracking analysis shows promise for assessing fetal cardiac remodeling, but its midtrimester application across maternal pathologies needed evaluation.
Does FetalHQ detect differences in fetal myocardial thickness and left ventricular mass in high-risk pregnancies compared to controls during the midtrimester?
Observational (n=374)
No
Does FetalHQ detect differences in fetal myocardial thickness and left ventricular mass in high-risk pregnancies compared to controls during the midtrimester?
FetalHQ speckle-tracking echocardiography can detect early fetal cardiac remodeling, such as changes in myocardial thickness and LV mass, in high-risk pregnancies during the second trimester.
Supports FetalHQ detection of cardiac remodeling in diabetic pregnancies; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Background: Echocardiography currently represents the gold standard for the anatomical and functional assessment of the fetal heart by experienced operators. FetalHQ (VolusonTM) provides a semi-automated speckle-tracking analysis of the fetal heart with promising results for the reliable assessment of cardiac remodeling, specifically of size, shape, and contractility. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study comparing 108 controls, 119 obesity (BMI ≥ 30), 69 pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus (DM), 41 gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and 37 early fetal growth restriction (FGR) cases (19+0–22+6 weeks). FetalHQ was utilized during midtrimester echocardiographic exams to evaluate fetal myocardial thickness and left ventricular mass. Results: Myocardial thickness was increased in DM (median 0.21 [IQR 0.17–0.23] cm) vs. controls (0.17 [0.15–0.21] cm; p < 0.01) and reduced in FGR (0.13 [0.11–0.18] cm; p < 0.01). Left ventricular mass increased in obesity (0.98 [0.62–1.19] g) and DM (1.12 [0.94–1.17] g) vs. controls (0.73 [0.56–0.97] g; both p < 0.01). Conclusions: Fetal cardiac remodeling, especially myocardial thickness and left ventricular mass adaptations, is detectable in fetuses from high-risk pregnancies starting from the second trimester. Advanced speckle-tracking techniques, such as fetalHQ, provide valuable early risk stratification and may support the need for systematic fetal cardiac screening and monitoring during gestation in selected groups of patients.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Giannubilo et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Pregnant women with normal pregnancies, obesity, pre-gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus, early fetal growth restriction (n=374). Fetal heart evaluation using fetalHQ speckle-tracking echocardiography vs. Normal control pregnancies was evaluated on Midtrimester fetal myocardial thickness and left ventricular mass measured by fetalHQ speckle-tracking echocardiography. FetalHQ detected increased myocardial thickness (median 0.21 cm vs. 0.17 cm, p < 0.01) and left ventricular mass (median 1.12 g vs. 0.73 g, p < 0.001) in fetuses of mothers with pre-gestational diabetes compared to controls at midtrimester.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: