Two-dimensional ultrasound imaging of atrial appendages in normal fetuses / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand demonstration methods and ultrasonographic features of left and right atrial appendages in normal fetuses.Methods 200 consecutive normal fetuses during gestation age 19-28 weeks from November 2011 through April 2012 entered the study.Ultrasonographic features and the demonstrated rates of atrial appendages at different incidence angle of ultrasonography and different gestational weeks were recorded and calculated,respectively.Results Atrial appendages of normal fetuses can be demonstrated on atrial appendages plane,which was little lower the view of parasternal great artery short axis.The display rate of left,right and left-right atrial appendages was 92％,68％,65.5％,respectively.When ultrasound beam entranced into chest from the right side,the display rate of left-right atrial appendages was highest(94.3％).The best time to observe atrial appendages was 22 to 24 week of pregnancy.The majority of left atrial appendages were fingerlike hook shapes,with narrower bases and longer bodys,and the endocardial surfaces were relatively smooth.Sometimes with incisures on external edges.Whereas the majority of right atrial appendages were obtuse-angled triangle shapes,with broad bases and shallower bodys.On endocardial surface the pectinate muscles were often seen,which looked like serrated echoes,sometimes prominent taenia sagittalis were noted in right atrial appendages.Conclusions Atrial appendages of normal fetuses can be demonstrated using two-dimensional ultrasonography on atrial appendages plane.The demonstrated rates of atrial appendages were different according to different incidence angle of ultrasonography and gestational weeks.There were some differences in ultrasonographic features between left and right atrial appendages,which is very helpful in determinating atrial situs.