Postmortem Micro-CT of Human Fetal Heart—A Systematic Literature Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine

Sophie Lombardi¹  Camilla Sandrini²  Simona Boito³  Claudio M. Lombardi⁴ 

[1] Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy;Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy;Fetal Medicine and Surgery Service, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;Studio Diagnostico Eco, 20871 Vimercate, Italy;

关键词: postmortem micro-CT;    virtual autopsy;    fetal heart;    congenital heart disease;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jcm10204726

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Micro-computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive alternative to conventional macroscopic dissection for the evaluation of human fetal cardiac anatomy. This paper aims to systematically review the literature regarding the use of micro-CT to examine human fetal hearts, to illustrate its educational and research implications and to explain its possible directions for the future. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA statement to identify publications concerning micro-CT applications for the isolated human fetal heart. The search strategy identified nine eligible studies. Micro-CT is technically feasible for postmortem examination of the human fetal heart coming from early and late termination of pregnancy. It reaches high diagnostic accuracy, and it seems to perform better than autopsy in small samples or in the case of early termination of pregnancy. Applications derived from micro-CT allow multiple off-time evaluations and interdisciplinary comparisons for educational purposes and research perspectives in biological and bioengineering domains.

【 授权许可】

Unknown