Risk Stratification of Fetal Cardiac Anomalies in an Underserved Population Using Telecardiology.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a fetal telecardiology program in a medically underserved area. METHODS: We conducted a prospective case series of pregnant women at 18-38 weeks of gestation with risk factors for fetal congenital heart disease. Obstetric ultrasonographers performed fetal echocardiograms (local site) that were read in real time. The results were given to the mother by a fetal cardiologist at a children's hospital 243 miles and two mountain passes away (distant site). We evaluated the fetal telecardiology program in five domains: 1) education of obstetric ultrasonographers before initiation of telecardiology services, 2) process and efficiency, 3) patient satisfaction, 4) economic effects, and 5) accuracy of cardiac diagnosis and success of risk stratification. RESULTS: The program was initiated on November 12, 2015, and here we describe its first 37 months. Over the initial training period of 3 months and about 70 examinations, obstetric ultrasonographers improved their identification of fetal congenital heart disease. Telecardiology was performed once a week and also for suspected fetal congenital heart disease or arrhythmia outside clinic hours, for a total of 455 examinations. All mothers preferred having their fetal cardiac evaluations performed locally as opposed to traveling to the distant center. The estimated cost to parents for fetal cardiac evaluation at the distant center was nine times greater than that of telecardiology ($581 vs $61). Congenital heart disease or arrhythmia was diagnosed in 28 and 15 fetuses, respectively; there was one false-negative result. All fetuses were correctly risk-stratified with respect to delivery location. CONCLUSIONS: Neither diagnostic quality nor patient satisfaction were sacrificed with telecardiology. The program was feasible, empowered the local health care providers and ultrasonographers, offered strong economic advantages to families, and offered the benefit of timely standard-of-care, face-to-face consultation without travel. Based on the success of this program, further studies are warranted to assess its replicability.

Assessment of Progressive Pathophysiology After Early Prenatal Diagnosis of the Ebstein Anomaly or Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia.

In fetuses with Ebstein anomaly or tricuspid valve dysplasia (EA/TVD), poor hemodynamic status is associated with worse neonatal outcome. It is not known whether EA/TVD fetuses with more favorable physiology earlier in gestation progress to more severe disease in the third trimester. We evaluated if echocardiographic indexes in EA/TVD fetuses presenting <24 weeks of gestation are reliable indicators of physiologic status later in pregnancy. This multicenter, retrospective study included 51 fetuses presenting at <24 weeks of gestation with EA/TVD and serial fetal echocardiograms ≥4 weeks apart. We designated the following as markers of poor outcome: absence of anterograde flow across the pulmonary valve, pulmonary valve regurgitation, cardiothoracic area ratio >0.48, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, or tricuspid valve (TV) annulus Z-score >5.6. Median gestational age at diagnosis was 21 weeks (range, 18 to 24). Eighteen fetuses (35%) had no markers for poor hemodynamic status initially, whereas only 7 of these continued to have no markers of poor outcome in the third trimester. Nine of 27 fetuses (33%) with anterograde pulmonary blood flow on the first echocardiogram developed pulmonary atresia; 7 of 39 (18%) developed new pulmonary valve regurgitation. LV dysfunction was present in 2 (4%) patients at <24 weeks but in 14 (37%) later (p <0.001). The TV annulus Z-score and cardiothoracic area both increased from diagnosis to follow-up. In conclusion, progressive hemodynamic compromise was common in this cohort. Our study highlights that care must be taken in counseling before 24 weeks, as the absence of factors associated with poor outcome early in pregnancy may be falsely reassuring.