Fetal Echocardiography Practice Test

Ductus venosus Doppler in fetal congenital heart disease primarily provides assessment of which parameter?

Fetal blood glucose Preload status Cardiac chamber size Oxygen saturation

Correct Answer:

Preload status

Explanation:

Ductus venosus Doppler mainly tells us about how well the fetal heart is being filled—its preload. The ductus venosus carries well-oxygenated blood toward the heart, and the Doppler waveform reflects central venous pressure and right atrial filling. In fetal congenital heart disease, how the heart handles venous return (the preload) largely determines cardiac output and risk of decompensation. Abnormal patterns, especially changes in the atrial contraction (A-wave) portion such as diminution or reversal, indicate elevated right atrial pressure and venous congestion, i.e., altered preload. This is why DV Doppler is used to assess preload status rather than direct measures of glucose, cardiac chamber size, or oxygen saturation, which are evaluated by other imaging or tests.

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