Fetal circular shunt in Ebstein's anomaly and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment.

A circular shunt is a poor prognostic factor associated with Ebstein's anomaly. Targeting the constriction of the ductus arteriosus (DA) in order to limit or resolve the circular shunt, has been shown to improve fetal outcomes. Prenatal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been known to constrict the DA. Recently, prenatal NSAIDs have been used for that purpose in the treatment of circular shunt. Limited research shows that it may be an effective treatment leading to improved fetal outcomes. In this article, we did an extensive review of literature to describe this therapy's effectiveness and outcomes. 82% of fetuses were able to achieve ductal constriction with prenatal NSAID therapy. For fetuses who achieved ductal constriction, fetal demise was less likely (6%) when compared to those who were unable to achieve the same (50%). Of all the fetuses with hydrops, 50% had resoluation of hydrops with prenatal NSAID treatment.

Treatment of Severe Fetal Ebstein's Anomaly with Prenatal Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Prenatally diagnosed Ebstein's anomaly with tricuspid valve dysplasia (EA/TVD) is a rare and high-risk congenital heart malformation with limited effective treatments. We report a case of severe fetal EA with hydrops treated with modest doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy, resulting in reversal of hydrops and a favorable fetal outcome. CASE PRESENTATION: Fetal heart defects included an inferiorly displaced tricuspid valve, severe tricuspid regurgitation, significantly dilated right atrium, and hypoplastic pulmonary valve with moderate regurgitation resulting in a circular shunt across the ductus arteriosus. Maternal indomethacin therapy was initiated at 31+5 weeks gestation due to the development of fetal hydrops as demonstrated by the presence of a pericardial effusion and ascites. Indomethacin therapy resulted in the desired restriction of the ductus arteriosus and resolution of fetal hydrops. Maternal therapy was transitioned to ibuprofen and serial fetal echocardiograms ensured continued ductal restriction. Delivery occurred via cesarean at 36+3 weeks. The neonate did not require immediate cardiac surgical intervention and was discharged home with close follow-up. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: A lower dose of prenatal NSAID therapy effected successful ductal restriction and hemodynamic mitigation of the circular shunt, resulting in reversal of hydrops and avoidance of postnatal cardiac surgical intervention.

Inadvertent irreversible closure of arterial duct following therapeutic use of transplacental indomethacin in a fetus with severe Ebstein's anomaly and circular shunt.

We report on a fetal case of Ebstein's anomaly with severe tricuspid regurgitation, functional pulmonary atresia and progressive circular shunting (CS) across a widely patent ductus arteriosus (DA) and regurgitant pulmonary valve, contributing to significant systemic hypoperfusion. To mitigate the extent of CS and allow the pregnancy to continue, maternal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy with indomethacin was started at 33 + 5 weeks to induce DA constriction. Rather than achieving the desired narrowing of the DA, the treatment led to its complete closure and only minimal antegrade flow across the pulmonary valve. While closure of the DA resulted in the anticipated improvement in fetal hemodynamics, at birth, the child was at risk of severe hypoxemia and its consequences due to the lack of adequate pulmonary perfusion. Reduction and eventual discontinuation of the NSAID treatment did not result in DA reopening. Our experience illustrates the risk of unintended irreversible DA closure when NSAIDs are used to treat CS. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Effect of In Utero Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Therapy for Severe Ebstein Anomaly or Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia (NSAID Therapy for Fetal Ebstein anomaly).

Ebstein anomaly (EA) and tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) are rare congenital malformations associated with nearly 50% mortality when diagnosed in utero. The diseases often produce severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in the fetus and in some cases, pulmonary regurgitation (PR) and circular shunting ensue. Since the ductus arteriosus (DA) plays a critical role in the circular shunt and may be constricted by transplacental nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), we sought to assess the effect of NSAIDs on fetuses with EA/TVD. We reviewed mothers of singleton fetuses with EA/TVD and PR, indicative of circular shunting, who were offered NSAIDs at multiple centers from 2010 to 2018. Initial dosing consisted of indomethacin, followed by ibuprofen in most cases. Twenty-one patients at 10 centers were offered therapy at a median gestational age (GA) of 30.0 weeks (range: 20.9 to 34.9). Most (15/21 = 71%) mothers received NSAIDs, and 12 of 15 (80%) achieved DA constriction after a median of 2.0 days (1.0 to 6.0). All fetuses with DA constriction had improved PR; 92% had improved Doppler patterns. Median GA at pregnancy outcome (live-birth or fetal demise) was 36.1 weeks (30.7 to 39.0) in fetuses with DA constriction versus 33 weeks (23.3 to 37.3) in fetuses who did not receive NSAIDs or achieve DA constriction (p = 0.040). Eleven of 12 patients (92%) with DA constriction survived to live-birth, whereas 4 of 9 patients (44%) who did not receive NSAIDs or achieve DA constriction survived (p = 0.046). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the proof of concept that NSAIDs mitigate circular shunt physiology by DA constriction and improve PR among fetuses with severe EA/TVD. Although the early results are encouraging, further investigation is necessary to determine safety and efficacy.

Current and future role of fetal cardiovascular MRI in the setting of fetal cardiac interventions.

Over recent years, technical developments resulting in the feasibility of fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) have provided a new diagnostic tool for studying the human fetal heart and circulation. During the same period, we have witnessed the arrival of several minimally invasive fetal cardiac interventions (FCI) as a possible form of treatment in selected congenital heart diseases (CHDs). The role of fetal CMR in the planning and monitoring of FCI is not yet clear. Indeed, high-quality fetal CMR is not available or routinely offered at most centers caring for patients with prenatally detected CHD. However, in theory, fetal CMR could have much to offer in the setting of FCI by providing complementary anatomic and physiologic information relating to the specific intervention under consideration. Similarly, fetal CMR may be useful as an alternative imaging modality when ultrasound is hampered by technical limitations, for example, in the setting of oligohydramnios and in late gestation. In this review, we summarize current experience of the use of fetal CMR in the diagnosis and monitoring of fetuses with cardiopathies in the setting of a range of invasive in utero cardiac and vascular interventions and medical treatments and speculate about future directions for this versatile imaging medium.

Exercise Capacity After Repair of Ebstein Anomaly in Adults.

Repair of Ebstein anomaly has evolved over the last decade, and timing of repair remains variable. There have been no studies of exercise or functional capacity in patients who have had tricuspid valve surgery for Ebstein anomaly in adulthood. We aimed to compare exercise capacity before and after tricuspid valve repair or replacement for Ebstein anomaly in adults at Mayo Clinic. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with Ebstein anomaly who underwent tricuspid valve surgery at Mayo Clinic between June 2007 and January 2015. We compared pre- and postoperative echocardiograms, exercise tests, and clinic visits. Tricuspid valve surgery was done for 322 patients, and 32 patients met criteria of native tricuspid valve repair or replacement at age 18 or older and had maximal pre- and postoperative exercise tests. Nineteen patients had valve repair, and 13 had valve replacement. Surgery for Ebstein anomaly resulted in significant reduction in tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular size. There was a significant improvement in NYHA functional class after surgery; however, there was no significant improvement in functional aerobic capacity (FAC), metabolic equivalents (METs), exercise time, or [Formula: see text] after surgery. Patients who had an atrial shunt closed during surgery had improved minimum blood oxygen saturations during exercise, though no improvement in exercise capacity. In our cohort, patients who had tricuspid valve repair or replacement for Ebstein anomaly reported an improvement in functional capacity; however, this did not reflect improvement in measured exercise capacity, despite excellent surgical results by echocardiography.

Ebstein's anomaly with 'reversible' functional pulmonary atresia.

We present the case of an infant with prenatal diagnosis, at 32 weeks gestation, of Ebstein's anomaly without anterograde flow from right ventricular to pulmonary atresia (PA)-functional PA with flow reversal in the ductus arteriosus. Prostaglandin E1 was started after birth. Chest X-ray showed severe cardiomegaly and echocardiogram confirmed Ebstein's anomaly with a thickened non-opening pulmonary valve without anterograde flow but with mild regurgitation. Multidisciplinary team decision was to progressively reduce prostaglandins and have an expectant attitude. Peripheral oxygen saturation above 85% was maintained and serial echocardiograms documented progressive reduction of the ductus arteriosus and the opening of the pulmonic valve cusps, with the development of anterograde flow. The newborn was discharged at day 19 of life without the need for any intervention, and at last follow-up remains asymptomatic, with anterograde normal flow in the pulmonary valve.

Ebstein's anomaly in adult patients over 50 years of age.

Ebstein's anomaly (EA) is a rare congenital heart disease of the tricuspid valve, and less than 5% of patients with EA survive beyond the age of 50. We report two unoperated cases of EA in adult patients aged over 50 years. Two patients, a 70-year-old Japanese woman and a 59-year-old Chinese woman, were referred to us for tachyarrhythmias. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated apical displacement (>8 mm/m(2) body surface area) of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve from the atrioventricular ring with tricuspid regurgitation in both patients. The former suddenly expired 20 months later after suffering from repetitive supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and/or heart failure, and the latter is alive with minimal signs of heart failure 12 months after the diagnosis of EA. Although the natural history of EA is extremely variable, these two patients are exceptional in that they tolerated EA well for over 50 years without any surgical intervention.

Ebstein's anomaly.

Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital heart disease, accounting for less than 1% of all congenital heart diseases, characterized by a wide clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, anatomic and prognostic polymorphism. The disease can be fatal since birth or may remain asymptomatic until adulthood, sometimes being associated with septal defects, transposition of great vessels, preexcitation syndromes, or left ventricular noncompaction. The genetic changes underlying this syndrome are not fully known, but in the cases associating left ventricular nonompaction a mutation in MYH7 gene encoding the beta-myosin heavy chain was recently detected. The authors present 2 cases of Ebstein's anomaly with different onset and course and discuss the current clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic criteria used for prognostic stratification of Ebstein disease in relation to international literature.

[Ebstein's malformation in the fetus with cardiomegaly. To treat or to observe?--a case report]. / Zespól Ebsteina z kardiomegalia plodu. Leczyc czy obserwowac?--opis przypadku.

Ebstein's malformation is a rare congenital cardiac defect characterized by an abnormal formation and/or displacement of the leaflets of the tricuspid valve. Prognosis for a neonate is poor in case of cardiomegaly due to coexistence of lung hypoplasia. This paper presents a case of a fetus with Ebstein's malformation with massive cardiomegaly (HA/CA = 0.62) in a 27-year-old patient in her first pregnancy. The cardiac defect was diagnosed in the 22nd week of pregnancy. Due to the fact that the patient decided to continue her pregnancy, and taking into consideration single reports of transplacental Digoxin therapy an attempt to apply Digoxin therapy was made. The mother and the fetus were monitored in two centers, in Rzeszów and in Lódz. In the course of a 12-week transplacental therapy, 8 fetal echocardiography examinations were performed and the following parameters improved: HA/CA (0.62-0.5), CVPS (5/10-7/10) SF RA (0%-11%), SF RV (18%-28%). There was also a conversion of the oxygen test from negative to positive, which seems to document that prevention of the lung hypoplasia was achieved. The neonate died on the 8th day of postnatal life before a cardiac surgery attempt.

Sildenafil use in a symptomatic neonate with severe Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve.

Ebstein's anomaly (EA) is associated with poor outcome in symptomatic neonates. Management typically includes prostaglandins or surgical creation of a Blalock-Taussig shunt. Right ventricular afterload reduction may help by improving the forward flow across the pulmonary valve. We report the successful use of oral sildenafil, a pulmonary vasodilator, in a neonate with severe EA.

Management of Ebstein's anomaly and pure tricuspid insufficiency in the neonate.

Because the pulmonary vascular resistance is very elevated at birth, severe tricuspid regurgitation is poorly tolerated and even life-threatening in the newborn. The etiology may be tricuspid valve papillary muscle rupture or the more ominous Ebstein's anomaly, with its associated dysfunctional right ventricle. After the diagnosis is established and the patient is supported with prostaglandin infusion and nitric oxide, definitive surgical management is undertaken with the expectation of excellent outcomes for isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation. For neonates with Ebstein's anomaly, therapy is tailored to the severity of the malformation and the degree of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, assessed in the context of declining pulmonary vascular resistance. The surgical approach may involve ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus, placement of a systemic to pulmonary shunt, establishment of functional tricuspid atresia, or tricuspid valve repair. With the application of these various approaches, the outlook for neonatal Ebstein's anomaly has improved remarkably.

A novel approach incorporating sildenafil in the management of symptomatic neonates with Ebstein's anomaly.

The neonatal presentation of Ebstein's anomaly is a distinct cyanotic lesion for which little can be done other than to maintain ductal patency or perform palliative surgery if improvement does not occur. We report two cases in which sildenafil was introduced to assist previously failed attempts at weaning of prostaglandin.

Cor triatriatum dexter in two adult patients.

Cor triatriatum dexter, in which the right atrium (RA) is divided into two chambers by a membrane, is a very rare congenital abnormality. In this abnormality, there is a high incidence of associated congenital abnormalities, particularly of the right heart. We presented two men with cor triatriatum dexter. Echocardiography is discussed as a non-invasive diagnostic tool.

Thrombolytic treatment as first option in recurrent tricuspid prosthetic valve thrombosis and Ebstein's anomaly.

Ebstein's anomaly is the most frequent cause of congenital tricuspid regurgitation. The coexistence of a mechanical heart prosthesis in a low-pressure circuit and poor compliance in the anticoagulant therapy contributed decisively to the appearance of recurrent mechanical heart valve thrombosis in these patients. A 49 years old female patient is reported where thrombolytic therapy with recombinant Streptokinase (TT-rSK) was the first treatment choice in seven recurrent episodes of prosthetic valve thrombosis.

Ebstein's anomaly in a beagle dog.

An intact male beagle dog aged 1 year was referred because of shortness of breath, exercise intolerance and cardiac murmur. Based on the results from electrocardiography, thoracic radiography and echocardiography, the dog was diagnosed as Ebstein's anomaly. Although the orally administered digoxin, vasodilators and diuretics partially improved congestive signs, the dog became to be refractory and died 20 months after the diagnosis. Necropsy confirmed malformation and apical displacement of the basal attachment of tricuspid valve leaflets.

Transient platypnea-orthodeoxia-like syndrome induced by propafenone overdose in a young woman with Ebstein's anomaly.

In this report we describe the case of a 37-year-old white woman with Ebstein's anomaly, who developed a rare syndrome called platypnea-orthodeoxia, characterized by massive right-to-left interatrial shunting with transient profound hypoxia and cyanosis. This shunt of blood via a patent foramen ovale occurred in the presence of a normal pulmonary artery pressure, and was probably precipitated by a propafenone overdose. This drug caused biventricular dysfunction, due to its negative inotropic effect, and hypotension, due to its peripheral vasodilatory effect. These effects gave rise to an increase in the right atrial pressure and a decrease in the left one with a consequent stretching of the foramen ovale and the creation of massive right-to-left shunting. In our case this interatrial shunt was very accurately detected at bubble contrast echocardiography.

Successful prenatal digoxin therapy for Ebstein's anomaly with hydrops fetalis. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Ebstein anomaly is a rare tricuspid valve anomaly. Some fetuses with Ebstein's anomaly have concurrent severe cardiac function impairment, which results in hydrops fetalis. Most of these fetuses are inevitably terminally ill. No reports have demonstrated the potential prenatal therapy for fetuses under such conditions. CASE: Ebstein's anomaly and hydrops fetalis were detected at 28 weeks' gestation. Tricuspid regurgitation with congestive heart failure was observed. From 28 to 34 weeks' gestation, intrauterine therapy with digoxin, 0.75 mg/d, was administered. The fetal hydrops status improved gradually, while the tricuspid valve regurgitation persisted. At 36 weeks' gestation the fetus was delivered normally. During the neonatal phase, digoxin was continued and gradually tapered off. The tricuspid valve regurgitation and cardiomegaly gradually improved. CONCLUSION: The favorable outcome in this case supports the positive effect of prenatal digoxin therapy for Ebstein's anomaly with hydrops fetalis. In such conditions, upon the appearance of hydrops and congestive cardiac failure, immediate digoxin therapy may be useful. This successful trial encouraged us to manage such fetuses more aggressively.

Epidural analgesia for labour in a patient with Ebstein's anomaly.

Ebstein's anomaly is an uncommon congenital cardiac defect which is associated with cyanosis and arrhythmias. There have been very few previous reported cases of successful outcome in pregnancy in women with this disorder. We describe the successful analgesic management of an obstetric patient who had been known to have Ebstein's anomaly since childhood. Her first pregnancy was uneventful and analgesia during labour was provided by an epidural. During her second pregnancy she presented to our hospital as her condition had deteriorated. Symptomatic control was achieved with digoxin. Despite this, several episodes of hospitalization were needed pre-partum for rest and oxygen therapy. After the onset of spontaneous labour, analgesia was managed by an epidural using bupivacaine. Invasive monitoring was not deemed appropriate due to increased risk and questionable usefulness. Vaginal delivery was managed with elective lift-out forceps to minimize the stress of pushing. When reviewed two months post-partum she still required digoxin although her symptoms had improved considerably. The successful management of Ebstein's anomaly in pregnancy should include team management from early in pregnancy.