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van Nisselrooij AEL, Moon-Grady AJ, Wacker-Gussmann A, Tomek V, Malčić I, Grzyb A, Pavlova A, Kazamia K, Thakur V, Sinkovskaya E, Harkel ADJT, Haak MC. The aorto-left ventricular tunnel from a fetal perspective: original case series and literature review. Prenat Diagn 2022; 42:267-277. [PMID: 35018638 PMCID: PMC9303731 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Aorto‐left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) accounts for <0.1% of congenital heart defects. Evidence on the prognosis from a fetal perspective is limited. With this retrospective international case series, we provide information on the outcome of fetuses with ALVT. Methods All members of the Association for European Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology's (AEPC) fetal working group and fetal medicine units worldwide were invited for participation. We observed antenatal parameters, neonatal outcome and postnatal follow‐up. Additionally, a systematic search of the literature was performed. Results Twenty fetuses with ALVT were identified in 10 participating centers (2001–2019). Fetal echocardiographic characteristics of ALVT included an increased cardiac–thorax ratio (95%), left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (90%) and a dysplastic aortic valve (90%). Extracardiac malformations were rare (5%). Eight fetuses died at a median gestational age (GA) of 21 + 6 weeks (range, 19–24): all showed signs of hydrops prior to 24 weeks or at autopsy. All others (60%, 12/2) were live–born (median GA 38 + 4, range 37–40), underwent surgery and were alive at last follow up (median 3.2 years, range 0.1–17). The literature reported 22 ALVT fetuses with similar outcome. Conclusions In the absence of fetal hydrops, ALVT carries a good prognosis. Fetuses who survive to 24 weeks without hydrops are likely to have a good outcome. What's already known about this topic?Aorto‐left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is an extremely rare diagnosis that may cause congenital heart failure and fetal hydrops, leading to fetal or neonatal death. A few case reports show that after corrective surgery in the neonatal period, cases with ALVT tend to have a good prognosis.
What does this study add?This is the first study that evaluates prenatal characteristics, prognostic parameters and outcome following a prenatal diagnosis of ALVT in a cohort of cases worldwide, including a systematic review of the literature as well. In the absence of fetal hydrops, ALVT carries a good prognosis. Fetuses who survive to 24 weeks without hydrops are likely to have a good outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E L van Nisselrooij
- Department of Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - A J Moon-Grady
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - A Wacker-Gussmann
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, German Heart Centre Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - V Tomek
- Children's Heart Centre Prague, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - I Malčić
- Department of Child's Cardiology, Zagreb University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - A Grzyb
- Department of Perinatal Cardiology and Congenital Anomalies, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - A Pavlova
- Department of Cardiology, Ukrainian Children's Cardiac Centre, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - K Kazamia
- Children's Heart Centre Stockholm-Uppsala, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - V Thakur
- Division of Cardiology, Labatt Family Heart Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - E Sinkovskaya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
| | - A D J Ten Harkel
- Department of Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - M C Haak
- Department of Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Chowdhury UK, Anderson RH, George N, Singh S, Sankhyan LK, Pradeep D, Chauhan A, Sengupta S, Vaswani P. A Review of the Surgical Management of Aorto-ventricular Tunnels. World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg 2021; 12:103-115. [PMID: 33407031 DOI: 10.1177/2150135120954809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We present a synthesis of 95 published investigations of the exceedingly rare tunnels that can exist between the aortic root and the left or right ventricles. From the 220 suitable cases included in these investigations, we reviewed the clinical presentations, modalities used for diagnosis, surgical approaches, and outcomes. Diagnostic information was provided by clinical presentation, radiographic findings, saline contrast echocardiography, computed tomographic angiocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, cardiac catheterization, and angiocardiography. These techniques elucidated the coronary arterial origins and associated defects and defined the disease before surgery. Patients occasionally present with an asymptomatic cardiac murmur and cardiomegaly, but most suffer cardiac failure in the first year of life when the tunnel enters the left ventricle. Antenatal diagnosis by fetal echocardiography is reliable after 18 weeks of gestation. Associated defects, involving the proximal coronary arteries or the aortic or pulmonary valves, are present in nearly half the cases. Prompt diagnosis and surgical repair are important for a favorable outcome. Overall, operative mortality has been cited to be between 3% and 8.3%. Associated congenital coronary arterial anomalies, residual severe aortic stenosis, poor left ventricular function, and rupture of an infected suture line have been the reported causes of death. Despite early surgical intervention, an incidence of 16% to 60% postoperative residual aortic regurgitation of varying severity has been reported. The requirement of further repair or replacement of the aortic valve ranges from 0% to 50%. We submit that an increased appreciation of these details relative to the tunnels will contribute to improved surgical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ujjwal Kumar Chowdhury
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Robert H Anderson
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Niwin George
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sukhjeet Singh
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Lakshmi Kumari Sankhyan
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Doniparthi Pradeep
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhinavsingh Chauhan
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjoy Sengupta
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Prateek Vaswani
- Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, 28730All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Truong BL, Moreau De Bellaing A, Vialle E, Haydar A, Vouhe P, Jouk PS, Blaysat G. Prenatal Diagnosis of Aorto-Left Ventricular Tunnel With Dysplastic Bicuspid Aortic Valve: From Fetal Cardiac Failure to Favorable Outcome. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:69. [PMID: 32175295 PMCID: PMC7056665 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aorto-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare congenital heart defect. Surgery has to be performed early to avoid life-threatening complications. Prenatal diagnosis of this defect is challenging. We report a case of ALVT diagnosed in a fetus showing premature severe cardiac failure at 24 GA. The new born was operated at day 3 of life with good results. Two years later, he is still doing well recovering a complete normal cardiac function. ALVT should be suggested in front of any fetal cardiac failure. Thanks to early diagnosis, prompt neonatal management can be organized and allows positive outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ba Luu Truong
- Pediatric Cardiac Unit, Hôpital Universitaire de Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Cardiovascular Unit, Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Anne Moreau De Bellaing
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Ayman Haydar
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Pascal Vouhe
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Simon Jouk
- Pediatric Cardiac Unit, Hôpital Universitaire de Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Gerard Blaysat
- Pediatric Cardiac Unit, Hôpital Universitaire de Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
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Horinouchi T, Ishimatsu J. Congenital aortico-left ventricular tunnel in fetuses and infants. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2012; 40:153-6. [PMID: 27277105 DOI: 10.1007/s10396-012-0414-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Congenital aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare congenital heart disease. A 27-year-old woman was referred to us at 37 weeks gestation with fetal cardiac enlargement. The left ventricle (LV) of the fetus was enlarged. Fetal aortic valve (AoV) ring diameter spread was observed. Back flow from the AoV margins to the LV was observed. The prenatal diagnosis of the fetus was aortic regurgitation (AR). A male neonate was delivered by cesarean section at 40 weeks gestation. We made the diagnosis of ALVT because the aorta and the LV of the neonate showed a tunnel with blood flow on echocardiography. We took another look at the fetal echocardiography. The neonate underwent surgery for exacerbation of heart failure on the 7th day after birth. Trivial flow from the tunnel and mild AR were observed after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Horinouchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kumamoto City Hospital, 1-1-60 Kotoh, Kumamoto, 862-8505, Japan.
| | - Junji Ishimatsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kumamoto City Hospital, 1-1-60 Kotoh, Kumamoto, 862-8505, Japan
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Alvarez R, García-Díaz L, Coserria F, Hosseinpour R, Antiñolo G. Aortopulmonary window with atrial septal defect: prenatal diagnosis, management and outcome. Fetal Diagn Ther 2011; 30:306-8. [PMID: 21335954 DOI: 10.1159/000324173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Accepted: 01/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A case of prenatally diagnosed aortopulmonary window is reported. The mother was referred for fetal echocardiography at 26 weeks' gestation because of suspected congenital heart disease. Prenatal echocardiography showed an aortopulmonary septum defect close to the pulmonary artery bifurcation and a left-to-right shunt flow in systole and early diastole detected by color flow Doppler. Postnatal echocardiography confirmed prenatal diagnosis, the aortopulmonary window was a 9-mm type III aortopulmonary window. An atrial septal defect with shunt flow left to right was also found. Surgical repair was performed 4 weeks after birth, the postsurgical period was uneventful and the newborn was discharged without complications 7 days after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Alvarez
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Genética, Reproducción y Medicina Fetal, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España
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Henaine R, Di Filippo S, Dauphin C, Bozio A, Ninet J, Lusson JR. Simple Repair of Aortico-Left Ventricular Tunnel in a Newborn with Early Prenatal Diagnosis. J Card Surg 2008; 23:368-70. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8191.2007.00531.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Abstract
Aorto-ventricular tunnel is a congenital, extracardiac channel which connects the ascending aorta above the sinutubular junction to the cavity of the left, or (less commonly) right ventricle. The exact incidence is unknown, estimates ranging from 0.5% of fetal cardiac malformations to less than 0.1% of congenitally malformed hearts in clinico-pathological series. Approximately 130 cases have been reported in the literature, about twice as many cases in males as in females. Associated defects, usually involving the proximal coronary arteries, or the aortic or pulmonary valves, are present in nearly half the cases. Occasional patients present with an asymptomatic heart murmur and cardiac enlargement, but most suffer heart failure in the first year of life. The etiology of aorto-ventricular tunnel is uncertain. It appears to result from a combination of maldevelopment of the cushions which give rise to the pulmonary and aortic roots, and abnormal separation of these structures. Echocardiography is the diagnostic investigation of choice. Antenatal diagnosis by fetal echocardiography is reliable after 18 weeks gestation. Aorto-ventricular tunnel must be distinguished from other lesions which cause rapid run-off of blood from the aorta and produce cardiac failure. Optimal management of symptomatic aorto-ventricular tunnel consists of diagnosis by echocardiography, complimented with cardiac catheterization as needed to elucidate coronary arterial origins or associated defects, and prompt surgical repair. Observation of the exceedingly rare, asymptomatic patient with a small tunnel may be justified by occasional spontaneous closure. All patients require life-long follow-up for recurrence of the tunnel, aortic valve incompetence, left ventricular function, and aneurysmal enlargement of the ascending aorta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxane McKay
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN 38103, USA.
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