A cardiovascular profile score in the surveillance of fetal hydrops

To assess the value of a cardiovascular profile score in the surveillance of fetal hydrops.

In a retrospective study, 102 hydropic fetuses were examined between 15 and 37 completed weeks of gestation with ultrasonographic assessment of hydrops, heart size, and cardiac function, and arterial umbilical and venous Doppler sonography of the ductus venosus (DV) and the umbilical vein (UV). A cardiovascular profile score (CVPS) was constructed by attributing 2 points for normal and taking away 1 or 2 points for abnormal findings in each category. The score of the final examination prior to treatment, delivery, or fetal demise was compared to the fetal outcome in these 102 fetuses after exclusion of terminated pregnancies. The scores of the first and last examinations were compared in 40 fetuses and the relationship between these scores and the evolution of fetal hydrops and fetal outcome was assessed.

Twenty-one pregnancies were terminated (21%). Fifty-four of the remaining 81 hydropic fetuses survived (67%) and perinatal death (PNM) occurred in 27 fetuses (33%). The median CVPS was 6.0 (IQR 4.75-8.00) for all fetuses, with a median of 6.0 (IQR 5.00-6.00) in fetuses who died in the perinatal period compared to a median of 7.0 (IQR 4.00-8.00) in those who survived (p < 0.035). All fetuses in this study had a 'severe' form of hydrops with skin edema. The best predictor for adverse outcome was the venous Doppler sonography of UV and DV, in particular umbilical venous pulsations. Among fetuses included in the longitudinal arm of the study, the survival rate was 40% and the PNM was 60%, after exclusion of terminated pregnancies. CVPS increased by a median of 1 (IQR 0.00-2.00) point in the last exam for those fetuses that lived, whereas among those fetuses that died, the CVPS decreased by a median 1.5 (IQR 0.25-2.75) points (p < 0.001).

The fetal cardiovascular profile score can be used in the surveillance of hydropic fetuses for prediction of the presence of congestive heart failure and as an aid for predicting fetal outcome.