What FetalHQ measures
FetalHQ — where "HQ" stands for Heart Quantification — uses speckle-tracking analysis to extract quantitative measurements from a standard 2D ultrasound cine loop of the fetal heart. From a single 4-chamber view, the software computes:
- The size of each chamber (area, length, and width)
- The shape of each chamber (24-segment sphericity index)
- The function of each ventricle (fractional area change, longitudinal strain, transverse fractional shortening, basal-lateral and septal annular plane systolic excursion)
The result is a comprehensive picture of cardiac performance that cannot be obtained from traditional 2D imaging alone — and which often reveals subtle abnormalities in fetuses previously considered normal.
No conflict of interest. Dr. DeVore has received no compensation from GE Ultrasound or TomTec for developing this technology — and therefore has no conflict of interest when discussing or recommending it.
How it was developed
Dr. DeVore's interview with GE Ultrasound regarding the development of FetalHQ.
The publications behind FetalHQ
FetalHQ is the product of more than a decade of peer-reviewed research. The following publications by Dr. DeVore and colleagues provided the scientific basis for the technology — a complete list of his 200+ publications is available on the publications page.
DeVore GR, Afshar Y, Harake D, Satou G, Sklansky M. Speckle-Tracking Analysis in Fetuses With Tetralogy of Fallot: Evaluation of Right and Left Ventricular Contractility and Left Ventricular Function. J Ultrasound Med. 2022 Dec;41(12):2955–2964.
DeVore GR, Klas B, Satou G, Sklansky M. Measuring the Area of the Interventricular Septum in the 4-Chamber View: A New Technique to Evaluate the Fetus at Risk for Septal Hypertrophy. J Ultrasound Med. 2022 Dec;41(12):2939–2953.
DeVore GR, Klas B, Satou G, Sklansky M. Speckle Tracking Analysis to Evaluate the Size, Shape, and Function of the Atrial Chambers in Normal Fetuses at 20–40 Weeks of Gestation. J Ultrasound Med. 2022 Aug;41(8):2041–2057.
DeVore GR, Cuneo B, Sklansky M, Satou G. Abnormalities of the Width of the Four-Chamber View and the Area, Length, and Width of the Ventricles to Identify Fetuses at High-Risk for D-Transposition of the Great Arteries and Tetralogy of Fallot. J Ultrasound Med. 2022 Jul.
DeVore GR, Satou GM, Afshar Y, Harake D, Sklansky M. Evaluation of Fetal Cardiac Size and Shape: A New Screening Tool to Identify Fetuses at Risk for Tetralogy of Fallot. J Ultrasound Med. 2021 Dec;40(12):2537–2548.
DeVore GR, Haxel C, Satou G, Sklansky M, Pelka MJ, Jone PN, Cuneo BF. Improved detection of coarctation of the aorta using speckle-tracking analysis of fetal heart on last examination prior to delivery. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Feb;57(2):282–291.
DeVore GR, Jone PN, Satou G, Sklansky M, Cuneo BF. Aortic Coarctation: A Comprehensive Analysis of Shape, Size, and Contractility of the Fetal Heart. Fetal Diagn Ther. 2020;47(5):429–439.
DeVore GR, Gumina DL, Hobbins JC. Assessment of ventricular contractility in fetuses with an estimated fetal weight less than the tenth centile. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Nov;221(5):498.e1–498.e22.
DeVore GR, Klas B, Satou G, Sklansky M. Quantitative evaluation of fetal right and left ventricular fractional area change using speckle-tracking technology. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Feb;53(2):219–228.
DeVore GR, Zaretsky M, Gumina DL, Hobbins JC. Right and left ventricular 24-segment sphericity index is abnormal in small-for-gestational-age fetuses. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Aug;52(2):243–249.
DeVore GR, Klas B, Satou G, Sklansky M. 24-segment sphericity index: a new technique to evaluate fetal cardiac diastolic shape. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2018 May;51(5):650–658.
DeVore GR, Polanco B, Satou G, Sklansky M. Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking of the Fetal Heart: A Practical Step-by-Step Approach for the Fetal Sonologist. J Ultrasound Med. 2016 Aug;35(8):1765–81.
View the complete publication list →
A breakthrough in how we measure the size, shape, and function of the fetal heart.