Clinical features of the complete closure of the ductus arteriosus prenatally

Evaluation of changes of cardiac morphology and function in fetuses with ductus arteriosus constriction by Speckle-tracking echocardiography

BACKGROUND

Premature ductus arteriosus constriction (DA Con) can result in right ventricular enlargement, right ventricular hypertrophy, and tricuspid regurgitation.

METHOD

This study retrospectively analyzed 34 singleton fetuses that underwent fetal echocardiography with a diagnosis of DA Con (16 cases with mild to moderate, and 18 cases with moderate to severe) and 45 healthy fetuses. The morphology and function parameters of cardiac, as well as the 24-Segment of ventricles, were compared between the DA Con group and controls, and between the mild to moderate and moderate to severe groups, using the fetal heart quantification (FHQ) technology.

RESULTS

There were no significant difference in left ventricular parameters in DA Con group when compared to controls. Moreover, fetal 4CV-GSI was significantly reduced, as well as the sphericity index (SI), fractional shortening (FS), global longitudinal strain (GS) and fractional area change (FAC) of right ventricle, especially in the basal-middle segments. Compared with the mild to moderate group, LV-FS increased and RV-FS decreased in moderate to severe group.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the fetal heart in the DA Con group was different from the controls in morphology and function. FHQ technology provides a comprehensive assessment for the evaluation of cardiac morphological and functional changes in DA Con fetuses.

Foetal ductus arteriosus constriction unrelated to non-steroidal anti-Inflammatory drugs: a case report and literature review

Foetal ductus arteriosus (DA) constriction can be found in complex foetal heart malformations, but rarely as an isolated defect. Although many cases of DA constriction are usually related to Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) maternal intake, other causes remain without an established aetiology and are referred to as idiopathic. Recently, a wide range of risks factors or substances (polyphenol-rich foods intake, naphazoline, fluoxetine, caffeine and pesticides) showed a definitive effect upon the pathway of inflammation, causing DA constriction. We report a case of a premature DA constriction in a woman whose possible risk factor was identified in her maternal occupational exposure to solvents and a comprehensive literature review of 176 cases of NSAID-unrelated DA constriction. A 30-year-old Asian woman was referred to our institution at 33 gestational weeks and 0 days because of suspicion of premature DA constriction. The woman had no history of medication intake, including NSAIDs, alcohol, tobacco or polyphenol-rich-food consumption during pregnancy. A detailed foetal echocardiography revealed a normal cardiac anatomy with hypertrophic, hypokinetic and a dilated right ventricle due to right pressure overload, holosystolic tricuspid regurgitation, and, at the level of the DA, high systolic and diastolic velocities, indicating premature ductal restriction. The right outflow showed dilatation of the pulmonary artery with narrow DA. An urgent caesarean section was performed at 33 gestational weeks and 4 days due to worsening of DA PI and signs of right pressure overload, despite the interruption of exposure to solvents. We assume a relationship exists between premature DA constriction and a maternal occupational exposure to solvents. This hypothesis is reinforced by the presence of associated foetal malformations in in two of the patient's children. Further research is needed to confirm the role of exposure to solvents and toxic chemicals in the pathogenesis of DA constriction, also with experimental animal models.KEY MESSAGESMany cases of DA constriction are usually related to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) maternal intake.A wide range of risks factors or substances (polyphenol-rich foods intake, naphazoline, fluoxetine, caffeine and pesticides) can cause foetal DA constriction.Further investigation are needed to confirm the role of maternal exposure to solvents in the pathogenesis of DA constriction.

Impact of ductus arteriosus constriction and restrictive foramen ovale on global hemodynamics for term fetuses with d-TGA

The ductus arteriosus (DA) constriction and restrictive foramen ovale (FO) are known as the leading cause of compromise and death of fetuses with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA). Although the d-TGA fetal hemodynamics is of great importance in making diagnosis and management of the congenital heart defect, it remains poorly understood, particularly in terms of abnormal DA and FO. In this study, we developed a closed-loop 0-1D multiscale model of the fetal cardiovascular system (CVS) specified for the d-TGA circulation and conducted a systematic study of the impact of the DA constriction and restrictive FO on fetal hemodynamics. We found that the DA constriction led to a pronounced increase in the pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary and mitral valve (PV and MV) regurgitation as well as left heart volume; the restrictive FO was responsible for reducing MV E/A ratio, ie, the ratio of peak early filling and late diastolic filling velocities, and PV peak systolic flow (PSV) but could increase both aortic valve (AV) PSV and aortic isthmus systolic index (ISI). Moreover, the amount of blood flowing through the DA was observed equivalent to that through the FO; the influence of DA constriction on the cerebral and placental perfusions are larger than that of the FO. Our results demonstrate that the proposed fetal cardiovascular model may be a useful tool for studying the underlying mechanisms associated with d-TGA fetal circulation and providing insights into its complex physiology and pathology.

Toward Eliminating Perinatal Comfort Care for Prenatally Diagnosed Severe Congenital Heart Defects: A Vision

Over the past 40 years, the medical and surgical management of congenital heart disease has advanced considerably. However, substantial room for improvement remains for certain lesions that have high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although most congenital cardiac conditions are well tolerated during fetal development, certain abnormalities progress in severity over the course of gestation and impair the development of other organs, such as the lungs or airways. It follows that intervention during gestation could potentially slow or reverse elements of disease progression and improve prognosis for certain congenital heart defects. In this review, we detail specific congenital cardiac lesions that may benefit from fetal intervention, some of which already have documented improved outcomes with fetal interventions, and the state-of-the-science in each of these areas. This review includes the most relevant studies from a PubMed database search from 1970 to the present using key words such as fetal cardiac, fetal intervention, fetal surgery, and EXIT procedure. Fetal intervention in congenital cardiac surgery is an exciting frontier that promises further improvement in congenital heart disease outcomes. When fetuses who can benefit from fetal intervention are identified and appropriately referred to centers of excellence in this area, patient care will improve.

Prenatal duct closure leading to severe pulmonary hypertension in a preterm neonate-a case report

Prenatal closure of the ductus arteriosus (DA) can lead to cardiovascular dysfunction resulting in pulmonary hypertension (PH), progressive right heart failure, fetal hydrops, and fetal or neonatal demise. Supportive therapies-including mechanical ventilation, oxygen, and nitric oxide (NO)-have been employed with variable success among infants born full term, but there is no widely accepted management of prenatal closure of the DA, particularly for preterm infants. We present the case of an infant born at 31 weeks' gestation with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and PH due to prenatal ductal closure, who was successfully treated with milrinone, resulting in full recovery of cardiac function. Prenatal ductal closure is rare, particularly under 32 weeks gestation, but should be suspected in cases of postnatal hypoxemia in the absence of significant lung disease or structural heart disease. Milrinone may be considered as a therapeutic agent to treat both PH and RV dysfunction in preterm infants status post in utero closure of the DA.

Management of fetal ductus arteriosus constriction with Digoxin and oxygen therapy

Constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus is rare and usually attributed to medications or CHD. We describe a 24-year-old multigravida at 33 weeks 5 days gestation with echocardiographic findings of severe ductal constriction, a dilated, hypertrophied and hypocontractile right ventricle, and severe tricuspid regurgitation following BC powder® use. Treatment with Digoxin and oxygen resulted in a progressive 71% reduction in peak systolic ductal gradient, improved right ventricular function, and decreased tricuspid regurgitation.

Investigating the characteristics of echocardiogram, surgical treatment, chromosome and prognosis for fetal right heart enlargement: A STROBE-compliant article

The prognosis of right heart enlargement varies according to different etiologies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of echocardiogram, surgical treatment, chromosome and prognosis for fetal right heart enlargement.The foetal echocardiogram was performed on 3987 pregnant women, and then 88 fetuses with right heart enlargement were identified. The data about prenatal and postnatal echocardiograms, postnatal cardiac surgical treatment, karyotype analysis and autopsy after induced labor were analyzed in the 88 fetuses.Except the 1111 cases that had loss of follow-up, 2876 cases had complete data. Among the 2876 cases, right heart enlargement was identified in 88 fetuses. Of the 88 fetuses, 15 had total atrioventricular septal defect (unbalanced type: right ventricular dominance), 15 Ebstein's anomaly, 18 fallot tetrad, 14 double outlet right ventricle, 13 total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, and 13 premature closure of ductus arteriosus. Chromosomal abnormality was found in 12 cases.There are many etiological factors causing right heart enlargement. The prognosis is better in the fetuses with single heart malformation than in the fetuses who have extracardiac malformation or/and chromosomal abnormality besides heart malformation. Fetal echocardiography combined with karyotype analysis can provide important bases for evaluating the prognosis of fetuses with right heart enlargement.

Ductus arteriosus and fetal echocardiography: Implications for practice

The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a crucial part of the fetal circulation, both in the normal fetus and in critical congenital heart disease (CHD). It allows shunting between the pulmonary and systemic circulations. In physiological prenatal conditions, the DA lets the majority of right ventricular output bypass the fluid-filled, high-resistance lungs. The DA can cause hemodynamic compromise in the fetus and neonate when constricted or absent (in isolation or in patients with CHD) and may lead to pre- or postnatal sequelae within other systems when forming part of a vascular ring. In CHD, the DA can be interrogated by fetal echocardiography to infer information regarding severity of pulmonary outflow tract obstruction, adequacy of the sub-pulmonary ventricle to supply pulmonary blood flow, and to predict the likelihood of atrial septum restriction in transposition of the great arteries. A good understanding of the DA is crucial for fetal cardiologists.

Indomethacin induced ductus arteriosus closure in midgestation fetus

This article reports a rare but potentially serious complication of ductus arteriosus closure resulting from second‐trimester indomethacin exposure. Serial echocardiograms are indicated to monitor for development of right heart dysfunction and to ensure delivery prior to the onset of right heart failure and hydrops fetalis.

Prediction of sustained fetal toxicity induced by ketoprofen based on PK/PD analysis using human placental perfusion and rat toxicity data

AIM

We encountered a case of fetal toxicity due to ductus arteriosus (DA) constriction in a 36-week pregnant woman who had applied multiple ketoprofen patches. The aim of the present study was to present the case and develop a model to predict quantitatively the fetal toxicity risk of transdermal administration of ketoprofen.

METHODS

Human placenta perfusion studies were conducted to estimate transplacental pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. Using a developed model and these parameters, human fetal plasma concentration profiles of ketoprofen administered to mothers were simulated. Using pregnant rats, DA constriction and fetal plasma drug concentration after ketoprofen administration were measured, fitted to an Emax model, and extrapolated to humans.

RESULTS

Transplacental transfer value at the steady state of ketoprofen was 4.82%, which was approximately half that of antipyrine (passive marker). The model and PK parameters predicted almost equivalent mother and fetus drug concentrations at steady state after transdermal ketoprofen administration in humans. Maximum DA constriction and maximum plasma concentration of ketoprofen after administration to rat dams were observed at different times: 4 h and 1 h, respectively. The model accurately described the delay in DA constriction with respect to the fetal ketoprofen concentration profile. The model with effect compartment and the obtained parameters predicted that use of multiple ketoprofen patches could potentially cause severe DA constriction in the human fetus, and that fetal toxicity might persist after ketoprofen discontinuation by the mother, as observed in our case.

CONCLUSION

The present approach successfully described the sustained fetal toxicity after discontinuing the transdermal administration of ketoprofen.

Prognostic factors of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in utero: a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

A number of case reports show various outcomes of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in utero, including persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and fetal or neonatal death; however, no study clarifies the clinical observations that are related to their prognoses. We aimed to clarify the prognostic factors of intrauterine ductal closure by a systematic literature review. Data sources We searched PubMed database (1975-2014) to identify case reports and studies on intrauterine closure of the ductus arteriosus, including maternal, fetal, and neonatal clinical information and their prognoses.

RESULTS

We analysed the data of 116 patients from 39 articles. Of these, 12 (10.3%) died after birth or in utero. Fetal or neonatal death was significantly correlated with fetal hydrops (odds ratio=39.6, 95% confidence interval=4.6-47.8) and complete closure of the ductus arteriosus (odds ratio=5.5, 95% confidence interval=1.2-15.1). Persistent pulmonary hypertension was observed in 33 cases (28.4%), and was also correlated with fetal hydrops (odds ratio=4.2, 95% confidence interval=1.3-4.6) and complete closure of the ductus arteriosus (odds ratio=5.5, 95% confidence interval=1.6-6.0). Interestingly, maternal drug administration was not correlated with the risk of death and persistent pulmonary hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Fetal hydrops and complete ductal closure are significant risk factors for both death and persistent pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac or neurological prognoses could be favourable if the patients overcome right heart failure during the perinatal period.

[Maternal use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and closure of the ductus arteriosus]

Nous rapportons un cas de fermeture prématurée in utero du canal artériel diagnostiqué chez un fœtus en état d’anasarque avec insuffisance cardiaque majeure après prise d’anti-inflammatoire non stéroïdiens (AINS) par la mère. Une échographie obstétricale au deuxième trimestre a permis la découverte d’une asymétrie des cavités cardiaques. L’indication de césarienne a été posée à 30 semaines d’aménorrhées devant un fœtus en état d’anasarque avec insuffisance cardiaque majeure sur une fermeture anténatale du canal artériel. A partir de ce cas nous nous proposons de réaliser une revue de la littérature pour illustrer les complications fœtales et néonatales potentielles résultant de la fermeture précoce du canal artériel secondaire à la prise d’AINS pendant la grossesse.

Maternal diclofenac medication in pregnancy causing in utero closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and hydrops

This report describes a case of premature closure in utero of the ductus arteriosus (DA) diagnosed postnatally in a baby with hydrops and cardiac failure. An echocardiogram 6 h postnatally showed marked dilation of the right atrium and right ventricle with marked hypertrophy and impaired function, elevated pulmonary pressures, a small pericardial effusion, and no flow through the DA. The mother was unaware of her pregnancy until she presented in labor, and she had taken diclofenac medication in the preceding months. This case and the accompanying literature review illustrate the potential fetal and neonatal complications resulting from antenatal closure of the DA due to maternal diclofenac medication during pregnancy.

A case of progressive ductal constriction in a fetus

The ductus arteriosus is a normal and essential structure in fetal circulation. Since the introduction of fetal echocardiography, there have been reports of ductal constriction, many of which were related to maternal use of some medications. However, there have been some reports of idiopathic ductal constriction, which usually present in later gestation. Recently we experienced a case, which initially showed an S-shaped ductus with mild narrowing at 23 weeks and 27 weeks gestation and developed severe ductal constriction at 33 weeks. Soon after birth, ductus was searched for but no ductus was found in 2-D and color images. The neonate required mechanical ventilation with supplemental oxygen for 3 days. All echocardiographic abnormalities were normalized in 7 months. We report progressive ductal constriction in an S-shaped ductus and emphasize the importance of continuous follow up extending to the third trimester and even immediately after birth.