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Utility of Fetal Echocardiography with Acute Maternal Hyperoxygenation Testing in Assessment of Complex Congenital Heart Defects. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10020281. [PMID: 36832410 PMCID: PMC9955335 DOI: 10.3390/children10020281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fetal echocardiography is an excellent tool for accurately assessing the anatomy and physiology of most congenital heart defects (CHDs). Knowledge gathered from a thorough initial fetal echocardiogram and serial assessment assists with appropriate perinatal care planning, resulting in improved postnatal outcomes. However, fetal echocardiography alone provides limited information about the status of the pulmonary vasculature, which can be abnormal in certain complex CHDs with obstructed pulmonary venous flow (hypoplastic left heart syndrome with restrictive atrial septum) or excessive pulmonary artery flow (d-transposition of the great arteries, usually with a restrictive ductus arteriosus). Fetuses with these CHDs are at high risk of developing severe hemodynamic instability with the immediate transition from prenatal to postnatal circulatory physiology at the time of birth. Adjunctive use of acute maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) testing in such cases can help determine pulmonary vascular reactivity in prenatal life and better predict the likelihood of postnatal compromise and the need for emergent intervention. This comprehensive review discusses the findings of studies describing acute MH testing in a diverse spectrum of CHDs and congenital diagnoses with pulmonary hypoplasia. We review historical perspectives, safety profile, commonly used clinical protocols, limitations, and future directions of acute MH testing. We also provide practical tips on setting up MH testing in a fetal echocardiography laboratory.
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Tulzer A, Huhta JC, Hochpoechler J, Holzer K, Karas T, Kielmayer D, Tulzer G. Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Is There a Role for Fetal Therapy? Front Pediatr 2022; 10:944813. [PMID: 35874565 PMCID: PMC9304816 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.944813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
During fetal life some cardiac defects may lead to diminished left heart growth and to the evolution of a form of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). In fetuses with an established HLHS, severe restriction or premature closure of the atrial septum leads to left atrial hypertension and remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, severely worsening an already poor prognosis. Fetal therapy, including invasive fetal cardiac interventions and non-invasive maternal hyperoxygenation, have been introduced to prevent a possible progression of left heart hypoplasia, improve postnatal outcome, or secure fetal survival. The aim of this review is to cover patient selection and possible hemodynamic effects of fetal cardiac procedures and maternal hyperoxygenation in fetuses with an evolving or established hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Tulzer
- Children's Heart Center Linz, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria.,Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - James C Huhta
- Perinatal Cardiology, St. Joseph Hospital, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Julian Hochpoechler
- Children's Heart Center Linz, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | - Kathrin Holzer
- Children's Heart Center Linz, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | - Thomas Karas
- Children's Heart Center Linz, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | - David Kielmayer
- Children's Heart Center Linz, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | - Gerald Tulzer
- Children's Heart Center Linz, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
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Patel N, Massolo AC, Kraemer US, Kipfmueller F. The heart in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Knowns, unknowns, and future priorities. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:890422. [PMID: 36052357 PMCID: PMC9424541 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.890422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing recognition that the heart is a key contributor to the pathophysiology of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), in conjunction with developmental abnormalities of the lung and pulmonary vasculature. Investigations to date have demonstrated altered fetal cardiac morphology, notably relative hypoplasia of the fetal left heart, as well as early postnatal right and left ventricular dysfunction which appears to be independently associated with adverse outcomes. However, many more unknowns remain, not least an understanding of the genetic and cellular basis for cardiac dysplasia and dysfunction in CDH, the relationship between fetal, postnatal and long-term cardiac function, and the impact on other parts of the body especially the developing brain. Consensus on how to measure and classify cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension in CDH is also required, potentially using both non-invasive imaging and biomarkers. This may allow routine assessment of the relative contribution of cardiac dysfunction to individual patient pathophysiological phenotype and enable better, individualized therapeutic strategies incorporating targeted use of fetal therapies, cardiac pharmacotherapies, and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Collaborative, multi-model approaches are now required to explore these unknowns and fully appreciate the role of the heart in CDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Patel
- Department of Neonatology, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ulrike S Kraemer
- Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Florian Kipfmueller
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Lee FT, Marini D, Seed M, Sun L. Maternal hyperoxygenation in congenital heart disease. Transl Pediatr 2021; 10:2197-2209. [PMID: 34584891 PMCID: PMC8429855 DOI: 10.21037/tp-20-226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of prenatal diagnosis and fetal intervention has been increasing as a preventative strategy for improving the morbidity and mortality in congenital heart disease (CHD). The advancements in medical imaging technology have greatly enhanced our understanding of disease progression, assessment, and impact in those with CHD. In particular, there has been a growing focus on improving the morbidity and mortality of fetuses diagnosed with left-sided lesions. The disruption of fetal hemodynamics resulting from poor structural developmental of the left outflow tract during cardiogenesis is considered a major factor in the progressive lethal underdevelopment of the left ventricle (LV). This positive feedback cycle of inadequate flow and underdevelopment of the LV leads to a disrupted fetal circulation, which has been described to impact fetal brain growth where systemic outflow is poor and, in some cases, the fetal lungs in the setting of a restrictive interatrial communication. For the past decade, maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) has been investigated as a diagnostic tool to assess the pulmonary vasculature and a therapeutic agent to improve the development of the heart and brain in fetuses with CHD with a focus on left-sided cardiac defects. This review discusses the findings of these studies as well as the utility of acute and chronic administration of MH in CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Tsuen Lee
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Davide Marini
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mike Seed
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Liqun Sun
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Zeng S, Zhou J, Peng Q, Deng W, Zhou Q. Cerebral hemodynamic response to short-term maternal hyperoxygenation in fetuses with borderline small left hearts. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:411. [PMID: 32680473 PMCID: PMC7368676 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03103-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoxia delays brain maturation and contributes to neurodevelopmental morbidity in fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHDs). Maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) can, in theory, promote oxygen/nutrient delivery to the fetal brain, owing to an improved heart structure/function and increased fetal oxygen content. We aimed to determine whether MH alters fetal cerebral hemodynamics in fetuses with CHD. METHODS Twenty-eight fetuses with borderline small left hearts and 28 age-matched normal fetuses were enrolled and subdivided by gestational age (GA): 23+ 0 ~ 27+ 6 weeks and 28+ 0 ~ 36+ 6 weeks. The middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (MCA-PI), vascular index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascular/flow index (VFI) were measured with baseline room air, after 10 min of MH and after 10 min of recovery for all subjects. RESULTS MCA-PI, VI, FI and VFI did not differ with MH in the normal fetuses. In fetuses with borderline small left hearts, MCA-PI increased and VI, FI and VFI significantly decreased during the 3rd trimester (from 1.44 ± 0.27, 3.19 ± 0.87, 56.91 ± 9.19, and 1.30 ± 0.33 at baseline to 1.62 ± 0.15, 2.37 ± 0.37, 45.73 ± 4.59, and 0.94 ± 0.15 during MH, respectively, P < 0.05), but this response was not apparent during mid-gestation (p > 0.05). These parameters returned to the baseline levels during the recovery phase. The change in cerebral perfusion depended on the baseline MCA-PI and increased the combined cardiac index (CCOi). CONCLUSIONS MH alters the cerebral hemodynamics of fetuses with borderline small left hearts during the third trimester. Further investigation is needed to determine whether MH may benefit brain growth and neurodevelopment in this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Zeng
- Department of Ultrasonography, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139 Middle Renming Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China.
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- Department of Ultrasonography, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139 Middle Renming Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Qinghai Peng
- Department of Ultrasonography, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139 Middle Renming Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Wen Deng
- Department of Genecology & Obstetrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139 Middle Renming Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Qichang Zhou
- Department of Ultrasonography, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139 Middle Renming Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
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Graupner O, Enzensberger C, Axt-Fliedner R. New Aspects in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Fetal Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2019; 79:863-872. [PMID: 31423021 PMCID: PMC6690741 DOI: 10.1055/a-0828-7968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a severe congenital heart disease with a lethal prognosis without postnatal therapeutic intervention or surgery. The aim of this article is to give a brief overview of new findings in the field of prenatal diagnosis and the therapy of HLHS. As cardiac output in HLHS children depends on the right ventricle (RV), prenatal assessment of fetal RV function is of interest to predict poor functional RV status before the RV becomes the systemic ventricle. Prenatal cardiac interventions such as fetal aortic valvuloplasty and non-invasive procedures such as maternal hyperoxygenation seem to be promising treatment options but will need to be evaluated with regard to long-term outcomes. Novel approaches such as stem cell therapy or neuroprotection provide important clues about the complexity of the disease. New aspects in diagnostics and therapy of HLHS show the potential of a targeted prenatal treatment planning. This could be used to optimize parental counseling as well as pre- and postnatal management of affected children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Graupner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Enzensberger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Roland Axt-Fliedner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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Jansen FAR, van Zwet EW, Everwijn SMP, Teunissen AKK, Rozendaal L, van Lith JMM, Blom NA, Haak MC. Fetuses with Isolated Congenital Heart Defects Show Normal Cerebral and Extracerebral Fluid Volume Growth: A 3D Sonographic Study in the Second and Third Trimester. Fetal Diagn Ther 2019; 45:212-220. [PMID: 30654359 DOI: 10.1159/000488674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of our study is to explore whether the cerebral growth is delayed in fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHD) in the second and early third trimester. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted in 77 CHD cases, with 75 healthy controls. 3D cerebral volume acquisition was performed sequentially. The volumes of the fetal hemicerebrum and extracerebral fluid were compared by linear regression analysis, and the Sylvian fissure was measured. RESULTS Between 19 and 32 weeks of gestation, 158 measurements in cases and 183 measurements in controls were performed (mean 2.2/subject). The volume growth of the hemicerebrum (R2 = 0.95 vs. 0.95; p = 0.9) and the extracerebral fluid (R2 = 0.84 vs. 0.82, p = 0.9) were similar. Fetuses with abnormal oxygen delivery to the brain have a slightly smaller brain at 20 weeks of gestation (p = 0.02), but this difference disappeared with advancing gestation. CHD cases demonstrated a slightly shallower Sylvian fissure (mean ratio 0.146 vs. 0.153; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Our study shows no differences in cerebral growth, studied in an unselected cohort, with successive cases of isolated CHD. Even in the severest CHD cases, cerebral size is similar in the early third trimester. The cause and meaning of a shallower Sylvian fissure is unclear; possibly, it is a marker for delayed cerebral maturation or it might be an expression of decreasing amount of extracerebral fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- F A R Jansen
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Leiden, The Netherlands,
| | - E W van Zwet
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S M P Everwijn
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A K K Teunissen
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - L Rozendaal
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J M M van Lith
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - N A Blom
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M C Haak
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Fetal cardiology: changing the definition of critical heart disease in the newborn. J Perinatol 2016; 36:575-80. [PMID: 26963427 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2016.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Infants born with congenital heart disease (CHD) may require emergent treatment in the newborn period. These infants are likely to benefit the most from a prenatal diagnosis, which allows for optimal perinatal planning. Several cardiac centers have created guidelines for the management of these high-risk patients with CHD. This paper will review and compare several prenatal CHD classification systems with a particular focus on the most critical forms of CHD in the fetus and newborn. A contemporary definition of critical CHD is one which requires urgent intervention in the first 24 h of life to prevent death. Such cardiac interventions may be not only life saving for the infant but also decrease subsequent morbidity. Critical CHD cases may require delivery at specialized centers that can provide perinatal, obstetric, cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery care. Fetuses diagnosed in mid-gestation require detailed fetal diagnostics and serial monitoring during the prenatal period, in order to assess for ongoing changes and identify progression to a more severe cardiac status. Critical CHD may progress in utero and there is still much to be learned about how to best predict those who will require urgent neonatal interventions. Despite improved therapeutic capabilities, newborns with critical CHD continue to have significant morbidity and mortality due to compromise that begins in the delivery room. Fetal echocardiography is the best way to predict the need for specialized care at birth to improve outcome. Once the diagnosis is made of critical CHD, delivery at the proper time and in appropriate institution with specific care protocols should be initiated. More work needs to be done to better delineate the risk factors for progression of critical CHD and to determine which newborns will require specialized care. The most frequently described forms of critical CHD requiring immediate intervention include hypoplastic left heart syndrome with intact or severely restricted atrial septum, obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return and transposition of the great arteries with restrictive atrial septum.
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