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Fetal echocardiographic features of twisted atrioventricular connections
M Abdullah1, S J Yoo, L Hornberger
1Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
This study highlights key fetal echocardiogram findings for diagnosing corrected transposition with twisted discordant atrioventricular connections. Early identification of spatial anomalies aids in prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Fetal Echocardiography
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Corrected transposition with twisted discordant atrioventricular connections is a complex congenital heart defect.
- Accurate prenatal diagnosis is crucial for planning management and improving outcomes.
Observation:
- This study details a case with both fetal and postnatal echocardiograms.
- The focus is on correlating prenatal findings with postnatal diagnoses.
Findings:
- Specific echocardiographic clues for diagnosis were identified in fetal life.
- Key indicators include unexpected spatial relationships of cardiac chambers and great arteries.
- Non-parallel atrioventricular valve opening axes are also significant diagnostic markers.
Implications:
- Early recognition of these echocardiographic signs during fetal screening can lead to timely diagnosis.
- Improved prenatal diagnosis facilitates better management strategies for affected infants.
- This case contributes to understanding the prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital heart defects.
Abstract:
We present an example of corrected transposition with twisted discordant atrioventricular connections in which both fetal and postnatal echocardiograms were obtained. We correlate the fetal echocardiograms with the postnatal echocardiograms, placing emphasis on the echocardiographic clues to the diagnosis which were present in fetal life. The diagnosis should be suspected when the cardiac chambers and great arteries show an unexpected spatial relationship for the given segmental connections, and when the axes of opening of the atrioventricular valves are not parallel.