MYOCARDIAL FUNCTION IN FETUSES WITH CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION

Introduction: To investigate myocardial deformation of left (LV) and right ventricle (RV) using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in fetuses with and without congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.Methods: This was a prospective single-centre study. Vertical transmission was defined by a positive CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on the amniotic fluid or on the neonate's urine. Fetuses were divided into Group 1 and Group 2 if CMV-PCR was positive or negative, respectively. LV and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) values were obtained and adjusted for gestational age by calculating Z-scores. Univariate analysis was carried out to compare cardiac indices between Group 1 and Group 2.Results: Fetuses from Group 1 (n=11) had a significantly lower LV myocardial shortening than those from Group 2 (n=32). GLS was -20.7 & PLUSMN;5.2% and -26.3 & PLUSMN;4.1%, respectively (p=0.001). Similarly, GLS Z-score was lower (0.02 & PLUSMN;0.72) in Group 1 than in Group 2 (-0.80 & PLUSMN;0.59) (p=0.001). Similarly. RV GLS Z-score was significantly impaired in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (-0.44 & PLUSMN;1.03 vs -1.04 & PLUSMN;0.71, p=0.041). Discussion/Conclusion: Fetuses with congenital CMV showed subclinical biventricular myocardial dysfunction. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential role of 2D-STE in identifying fetuses with congenital CMV at risk of postnatal cardiovascular morbidities.