Evaluation of the effects of cigarette smoking on fetal cardiac function: using the doppler Tei index

ABSTRACT

This prospective study involved 40 pregnant women [20 as pregnant smoking women and 20 as a control group] randomly selected with uncomplicated pregnancies and without risk factors for fetal heart disease. Patients underwent complete fetal echocardiographic examinations and Tei index was calculated. The mean maternal heart rate was elevated as was the mean fetal heart rate. A decrease occurred in the systolic/diastolic ratio in the umbilical artery. Ductal flow was significantly increased and Tei index [IRT+ICT]/ET was significantly increased for right ventricle [RV] compared with the control group [0.71 +/- 0.04 vs 0.36 +/- 0.05, respectively]. The other hemodynamic variables remained unchanged. Smoking was associated with increase in maternal and fetal heart rate. Tei index was significantly increased for right ventricle