Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE
(ISSN 1009-3095, Monthly)
2003   Vol. 4   No. 3   p.374-377

Comparison study of harmonic imaging (HI) and fundamental imaging (FI) in fetal echocardiography

ZHAO Bo-wen(赵博文)(Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China)
TANG Fu-gang(汤富刚)(Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China)
SHOU Jin-duo(寿金朵)(Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China)
XU Hai-shan(徐海珊)(Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China)
LU Jiang-hong(吕江红)(Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China)
FAN Miao-ying(范妙英)(Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China)
FAN Xiao-min(范晓明)(Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China)
PAN Mei(潘美)(Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China)

Abstract:Objectives: To directly compare the quality of harmonic imaging (HI) and fundamental imaging (FI) in fetal echocardiography and to determine any differences in image quality between the two modalities. Methods: Fetal echocardiograms were performed with the use of FI and HI in 58 fetuses, image quality and visualization of left and right atria, left and right ventricles, mitral and tricuspid valves, aortic and pulmonary valves, left and right ventricular outflow tracts were evaluated and compared between FI and HI. Results: Mean HI scores were higher than mean FI scores (2.73±0.43 vs 2.16±0.69, P<0.001)for all the cardiovascular structures evaluated. Compared with FI, HI improved the image quality and visualization of fetal cardiac structures in subjects with both good (2.73±0.43 vs 2.88±0.32, P<0.001) and suboptimal (1.65±0.41 vs 2.58±0.47, P<0.001) echocardiographic windows. The interobserver correlation coefficient for the grading scores was 0.74 (P<0.001). Conclusions: harmonic imaging enhances and improves the image quality of fetal echocardiography; and has important potential role in cardiac imaging in the fetus.
Keywords:Fetal echocardiography, Fundamental imaging (FI), Harmonic imaging (HI)

CLC Number:R540.4 Document ID:A

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Manuscript Received:2002年11月8日

Manuscript Revised:2003年1月6日

Published:2003年6月1日