Mathematical modeling of fetal organ growth using the Rossavik growth model: III. Cardiac ventricle.

Growth of the fetal cardiac ventricle has been monitored by total cardiac diameter (TCD), left ventricular systolic (LVSD) and diastolic diameter (LVDD), right ventricular systolic (RVSD) and diastolic diameter (RVDD), left ventricular width (LVW), interventricular septal width (IVSW), and right ventricular width (RVW) from 19 to 39 weeks, menstrual age, in 114 normal Japanese fetuses. Growth curves for these parameters have been determined using a Rossavik growth model [P = c(t)k+s(t)]. R2 values of 89.7, 58.0, 65.3, 77.9, 80.3, 31.1, 30.1, and 26.9 were obtained for TCD, LVSD, LVDD, RVSD, RVDD, LVW, IVSW, and RVW, respectively. Variability analysis indicated a progressive increase in variability with fetal age for these eight parameters. Variability data were used with the growth curve models to determine standard curves for these parameters. These standard curves provide a superior means for evaluating the normal fetal cardiac growth in the fetus and for identifying congenital heart anomalies in utero.