The Measurement of Fetal Cardiothoracic Diameters, Ratio and the Clinical Value / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To measure the fetal heart area and chest area in the same plane. To find out range of cardiothoracic ratio and the clinical value. Methods Among 750 normal pregnant women with gestational ages from 16 to 40 weeks underwent ultrasonographic measurement of the fetal heart and chest diameters and areas. The average value of the cardiothorcic ratio of the each gestational age's group was obtained by calculating. Results Both the heart area and the thorax area were highiy linearilized with the gestational age. The cardiothoracic ratio of each gestational age's group was around 0.20 and was not preponderated over 0.30. Conclusions Ultrasonic measurement of the fetal heart area and thorax area is one of the reliable biophysical parameter for estimating fetal age and growth in uterus. As the cardiothoracic ratio is over 0.30, congenital heart disease or fetal edema should be considered.