February 1, 1997Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine
Ventricular discrepancy as a sonographic sign of coarctation of the fetal aorta: how reliable is it?
Why the study?
Does ventricular size discrepancy on fetal sonogram predict postnatal aortic coarctation?
Population
42 fetuses in whom ventricular size discrepancy was recognized on an obstetrical sonogram, and 21 infants…
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
postnatal
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
May prompt closer fetal surveillance if noted before 34 weeks; leaves open prospective validation of ventricular discrepancy for coarctation prediction.
Structured PICO
Does ventricular size discrepancy on fetal sonogram predict postnatal aortic coarctation?
P
Population
42 fetuses in whom ventricular size discrepancy (left ventricle smaller than right ventricle) was recognized on an obstetrical sonogram, and 21 infants with postnatal coarctation who had an obstetrical sonogram after 16 weeks.
I
Intervention
Obstetrical sonogram showing ventricular size discrepancy (left ventricle smaller than right ventricle)
O
Outcome
Postnatal diagnosis of coarctation or other aortic arch obstructionsurrogate
Ventricular size discrepancy on fetal sonogram is a useful but moderately sensitive sign for predicting aortic coarctation, with better predictive value when detected before 34 weeks gestation.
Limitations
- Higher false positive rate after 34 weeks gestation
Cite This Study
Brown et al. (1997) studied this question.