Ultrasound evaluation of morphofunctional condition of the heart in premature infants during the first year of life

Objectives: The objective of the research is complex ultrasound evaluation of morphofunctional condition of the heart in premature infants during the first year of life. The task points of the research are identification of morphometric measurement data, diastolic and systolic functions of the heart in those patients. Research technique: Thirty three premature infants with the gestational age of 28-34 weeks and a low body mass at birth (a low-birth-weight) (from 1040 to 2440g) during the first year of life underwent complex ultrasound evaluation of condition of the heart using pulsed-wave tissue doppler-cardiography (TDI). The evaluation was done at the intervals of 7-14th day, 1-2nd, 3rd, 6-9th months and 1st year of life. Conclusion: It was ascertained that there was definitive rise in morphometric heart measurement data in premature infants during the first year of life including output of ventricles, cardiac output per minute, cardiac index, movement velocity of atrioventricular annuluses in systole and also decreased ejection fraction and shortening of the left ventricle and decreased heart rate. Defective refilling of ventricles with dominating blood flow in pre-cardiac systole was noted, to higher degree of the right ventricle when compared with the left ventricle. Repair of diastolic function of the right ventricle during the first year of life occurred at a later stage when compared with the left ventricle. It was demonstrated that pulsed-wave tissue doppler imaging is a more sensitive and optimal method in comparison with pulsed wave ultrasonograpy in evaluation of functional condition of the heart.