The multidisciplinary fetal center: clinical expertise is only part of the experience.

AIM: Multidisciplinary foetal centres have recently emerged in partnership with children's hospitals throughout the United States. The aim of this investigation was to describe the patient experience of pregnant women who were referred to our foetal centres for the evaluation of foetal congenital anomalies. METHODS: A qualitative interview study of women referred to our foetal centres was conducted using semi-structured telephone interviews. The data were coded and analysed using thematic networks analysis. RESULTS: Six themes were identified (i) foetal centre evaluations had a far-reaching impact on participants' lives, (ii) participants appreciated both expertise and support from providers, (iii) participants recognised the need to cope with uncertainty, (iv) participants sought additional support from multiple arenas, (v) participants specifically looked to the Internet for both information and support and (vi) participants had pre-established views about pregnancy termination. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary foetal centres can provide a unified source of clinical expertise to women who are carrying a foetus with a suspected or identified congenital anomaly. Despite this diagnostic acumen, uncertainty is pervasive and patients seek support and additional information from a variety of other sources. This investigation is an important initial step in the evaluation of this emerging model of care.

Outcomes and Predictors of Perinatal Mortality in Fetuses With Ebstein Anomaly or Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia in the Current Era: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Ebstein anomaly and tricuspid valve dysplasia are rare congenital tricuspid valve malformations associated with high perinatal mortality. The literature consists of small, single-center case series spanning several decades. We performed a multicenter study to assess the outcomes and factors associated with mortality after fetal diagnosis in the current era. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fetuses diagnosed with Ebstein anomaly and tricuspid valve dysplasia from 2005 to 2011 were included from 23 centers. The primary outcome was perinatal mortality, defined as fetal demise or death before neonatal discharge. Of 243 fetuses diagnosed at a mean gestational age of 27±6 weeks, there were 11 lost to follow-up (5%), 15 terminations (6%), and 41 demises (17%). In the live-born cohort of 176 live-born patients, 56 (32%) died before discharge, yielding an overall perinatal mortality of 45%. Independent predictors of mortality at the time of diagnosis were gestational age <32 weeks (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 3.5-21.0; P<0.001), tricuspid valve annulus diameter z-score (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.5; P<0.001), pulmonary regurgitation (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.2; P<0.001), and a pericardial effusion (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.0; P=0.04). Nonsurvivors were more likely to have pulmonary regurgitation at any gestational age (61% versus 34%; P<0.001), and lower gestational age and weight at birth (35 versus 37 weeks; 2.5 versus 3.0 kg; both P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this large, contemporary series of fetuses with Ebstein anomaly and tricuspid valve dysplasia, perinatal mortality remained high. Fetuses with pulmonary regurgitation, indicating circular shunt physiology, are a high-risk cohort and may benefit from more innovative therapeutic approaches to improve survival.

Contemporary Outcomes in Tetralogy of Fallot With Absent Pulmonary Valve After Fetal Diagnosis.

Background Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve is associated with high mortality, but it remains difficult to predict outcomes prenatally. We aimed to identify risk factors for mortality in a large multicenter cohort. Methods and Results Fetal echocardiograms and clinical data from 19 centers over a 10-year period were collected. Primary outcome measures included fetal demise and overall mortality. Of 100 fetuses, pregnancy termination/postnatal nonintervention was elected in 22. Of 78 with intention to treat, 7 (9%) died in utero and 21 (27%) died postnatally. With median follow-up of 32.9 months, no deaths occurred after 13 months. Of 80 fetuses with genetic testing, 46% had chromosomal abnormalities, with 22q11.2 deletion in 35%. On last fetal echocardiogram, at a median of 34.6 weeks, left ventricular dysfunction independently predicted fetal demise (odds ratio [OR], 7.4; 95% CI 1.3, 43.0; P=0.026). Right ventricular dysfunction independently predicted overall mortality in multivariate analysis (OR, 7.9; 95% CI 2.1-30.0; P=0.002). Earlier gestational age at delivery, mediastinal shift, left ventricular/right ventricular dilation, left ventricular dysfunction, tricuspid regurgitation, and Doppler abnormalities were associated with fetal and postnatal mortality, although few tended to progress throughout gestation on serial evaluation. Pulmonary artery diameters did not correlate with outcomes. Conclusions Perinatal mortality in tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve remains high, with overall survival of 64% in fetuses with intention to treat. Right ventricular dysfunction independently predicts overall mortality. Left ventricular dysfunction predicts fetal mortality and may influence prenatal management and delivery planning. Mediastinal shift may reflect secondary effects of airway obstruction and abnormal lung development and is associated with increased mortality.

Risk Factors for Mortality and Circulatory Outcome Among Neonates Prenatally Diagnosed With Ebstein Anomaly or Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia: A Multicenter Study.

Background In a recent multicenter study of perinatal outcome in fetuses with Ebstein anomaly or tricuspid valve dysplasia, we found that one third of live-born patients died before hospital discharge. We sought to further describe postnatal management strategies and to define risk factors for neonatal mortality and circulatory outcome at discharge. Methods and Results This 23-center, retrospective study from 2005 to 2011 included 243 fetuses with Ebstein anomaly or tricuspid valve dysplasia. Among live-born patients, clinical and echocardiographic factors were evaluated for association with neonatal mortality and palliated versus biventricular circulation at discharge. Of 176 live-born patients, 7 received comfort care, 11 died <24 hours after birth, and 4 had insufficient data. Among 154 remaining patients, 38 (25%) did not survive to discharge. Nearly half (46%) underwent intervention. Mortality differed by procedure; no deaths occurred in patients who underwent right ventricular exclusion. At discharge, 56% of the cohort had a biventricular circulation (13% following intervention) and 19% were palliated. Lower tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity (odds ratio [OR], 2.3 [1.1-5.0], 95% CI, per m/s; P=0.025) and lack of antegrade flow across the pulmonary valve (OR, 4.5 [1.3-14.2]; P=0.015) were associated with neonatal mortality by multivariable logistic regression. These variables, along with smaller pulmonary valve dimension, were also associated with a palliated outcome. Conclusions Among neonates with Ebstein anomaly or tricuspid valve dysplasia diagnosed in utero, a variety of management strategies were used across centers, with poor outcomes overall. High-risk patients with low tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity and no antegrade pulmonary blood flow should be considered for right ventricular exclusion to optimize their chance of survival.

The role of regional prenatal cardiac screening for congenital heart disease: A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Accurate prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) allows for appropriate delivery and postnatal management. Geographic constraints limit access to fetal cardiology subspecialists. In our approach, general pediatric cardiologists are first line in regional prenatal cardiac screening. We aim to demonstrate the utility of this approach in diagnosing CHD requiring cardiac interventions within 30 days of life. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of fetal echocardiograms performed at Seattle Children's Hospital regional cardiology sites (SCH-RC) from December 2008 to December 2015. Referrals to Seattle Children's Hospital Prenatal Program (SCH-PNP) were evaluated for referral timing, indication, diagnostic accuracy, and postnatal care. Diagnostic accuracy was determined using the initial postnatal echocardiogram as the gold standard. Major discrepancy was defined as one resulting in change in surgical management. RESULTS: Of 699 fetuses evaluated at regional sites throughout Washington and Alaska, a small subset (n = 48; 6.9%) required referral to SCH-PNP. Need for relocation was confirmed in 31 subjects, of which 27 required cardiac intervention within 30 days of life. Of those not referred to SCH-PNP (n = 643, 91.9%), none required neonatal cardiac intervention. There were 22 regional diagnostic discrepancies (31% major, 7% minor). Referral to SCH-PNP improved diagnostic accuracy (2% major, 0% minor). CONCLUSIONS: Regional prenatal cardiac screening demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 98.9% specificity for identifying critical CHD. Utilizing regional pediatric cardiologists as first line in prenatal screening in geographically remote regions may improve access to care and outcomes in neonates with critical CHD while improving resource utilization.

Voluntary implementation of critical congenital heart disease screening in Washington hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent of voluntary implementation of pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in Washington. At the time of the study, there was no state legislative or regulatory mandate for CCHD screening in Washington. METHODS: A Web-based survey was sent to the nurse manager or nurse educator of the well newborn unit at each of the 64 Washington hospitals with active delivery services in May and June 2013. Telephone follow-up was conducted for incomplete surveys. The survey assessed awareness and implementation of the recommendation, the protocol followed, staffing and equipment issues, pediatric cardiology support services, and the availability of prostaglandin E1 at each birth hospital. A brief follow-up was performed in December 2013 for hospitals not screening at the time of the initial survey. RESULTS: As of December 2013, 89% of Washington birth hospitals (accounting for 91.4% of births) had active CCHD screening programs. The recommended protocol is used in 95% of screening hospitals. Screening programs were instituted in 96% of hospitals using existing staff, but 52% of hospitals purchased new durable equipment to institute screening. CONCLUSIONS: There has been widespread voluntary adoption of pulse oximetry screening for CCHD in Washington birth hospitals. Quality assurance efforts are needed to assess the quality of the screening programs.

Critical congenital heart disease screening practices among licensed midwives in washington state.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2011, pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) has been recommended for newborns. Initial implementation guidelines focused on in-hospital births. Recent publications affirm the importance of universal screening, including for out-of-hospital births. No published data describe CCHD screening rates for out-of-hospital births. METHODS: Licensed midwives in Washington state were surveyed regarding their current CCHD screening practices, volume of births attended annually, and typical newborn follow-up practices. For those who indicated they were screening, additional information was obtained about equipment used, timing of screening, and rationale for voluntarily initiating screening. For those who indicated that they were not screening, information regarding barriers to implementation was solicited. RESULTS: Of the 61 midwives in our sample, 98% indicated they were aware of published guidelines recommending universal newborn screening for CCHD utilizing pulse oximetry. Furthermore, 52% indicated that they were screening for CCHD currently. Ten percent stated they do not intend to screen, whereas the remaining respondents indicated that they plan to screen in the future. The primary barriers to screening were the cost of pulse oximetry equipment and inadequate training in screening technique and interpretation. CONCLUSION: Although voluntary implementation of CCHD screening by licensed midwives in Washington is increasing, it lags behind the implementation rates reported for in-hospital births.

Fetal diagnosis of interrupted aortic arch.

To determine the frequency of prenatal detection among liveborn patients with an interrupted aortic arch (IAA), the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis, and the anatomic features associated with IAA in the fetus. The prenatal diagnosis of an IAA is challenging. The data on the features and outcomes of fetal IAA are limited. This was a retrospective review of the fetuses and neonates diagnosed with IAA at the Children's Hospital Boston. From 1988 to 2009, 26 fetuses were diagnosed with an IAA. Of these, 21 were live born, and 5 pregnancies were terminated. Of these 21 patients, 18 were confirmed to have an IAA after birth and 3 had severe aortic coarctation. Of the 56 patients diagnosed with an IAA as neonates, 3 had a prenatal echocardiogram that did not include the correct diagnosis. Among the liveborn patients with a postnatally confirmed IAA, 24% were diagnosed prenatally, which increased from 11% during the first 7-year period to 43% more recently. Also, 15% of the prenatally diagnosed patients with IAA had a family history of structural or genetic anomalies. In fetuses with an IAA, echocardiographic Z-scores for the aortic valve and ascending aorta were significantly lower than in normal fetuses, but the left ventricular dimensions were normal. Aortopulmonary diameter ratios were abnormally low. In conclusion, although the identification of IAA on a prenatal echocardiogram can be challenging, a number of anatomic features can facilitate the diagnosis. In particular, a low aortopulmonary diameter ratio in the absence of a ventricular size discrepancy should prompt consideration of this diagnosis. Despite the diagnostic challenges, the frequency of prenatal diagnosis of the IAA is increasing.