Differential Changes in Myocardial Performance Index and Its Time Intervals in Donors and Recipients of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome before and after Laser Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate left myocardial performance index (MPI) and time intervals in fetuses with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) before and after laser surgery.

METHODS: Fifty-one fetal pairs with TTTS and 47 uncomplicated monochorionic twin pairs were included. Left ventricular isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), ejection time (ET), and isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) were measured using conventional Doppler.

RESULTS: Recipients showed prolonged ICT (46 ± 12 vs. 31 ± 8 vs. 30 ± 5 ms; p < 0.001) and IRT (51 ± 9 vs. 43 ± 8 vs. 43 ± 5 ms; p < 0.001) and higher MPI (0.57 ± 0.12 vs. 0.47 ± 0.09 vs. 0.44 ± 0.05; p < 0.001) than donors and controls. Donors showed shorter ET than recipients and controls (157 ± 12 vs. 169 ± 10 vs. 168 ± 10 ms; p < 0.001) and higher MPI than controls (0.47 ± 0.09 vs. 0.44 ± 0.05; p = 0.006). Preoperative MPI changes were observed in all TTTS stages. Time intervals partially improved after surgery.

CONCLUSION: Donor and recipient twins had higher MPI due to different changes in the time intervals, possibly reflecting the state of hypovolemia in the donor and hypervolemia and pressure overload in the recipient.