Morphological features of complex congenital cardiovascular anomalies in fetuses: as evaluated by cast models

Area of Science:

• Fetal Medicine
• Cardiovascular Anatomy
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Accurate prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital cardiovascular anomalies, especially vascular ones, remains a significant clinical challenge.
• Existing diagnostic methods may not fully capture the complex three-dimensional anatomy of fetal cardiovascular pathologies.
• Fetal cardiovascular cast models offer a tangible representation of cardiac chambers and great vessels, aiding in understanding normal and pathological structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the three-dimensional anatomy of complex congenital cardiovascular anomalies in fetuses using corrosion casting.
• To evaluate the utility of corrosion casting in visualizing detailed cardiovascular malformations and spatial relationships.

Main Methods:

• Twenty fetuses with prenatal ultrasound-diagnosed complex cardiovascular anomalies (19–35 gestational weeks) were included.
• Fetal cardiovascular cast models were created using a corrosion casting technique.
• Casting material was injected via the umbilical vein, followed by acid immersion after solidification to reveal internal cardiovascular geometries.

Main Results:

• Nineteen successful cast models were generated from 20 specimens, clearly depicting morphological malformations and spatial relationships.
• A total of 111 abnormalities were identified across the 19 specimens.
• Abnormalities included 34 within cardiac chambers (atria, atrioventricular valves, ventricles) and 77 within great vessels (aorta, pulmonary artery, ductus arteriosus, major veins).

Conclusions:

• Corrosion casting effectively displays the three-dimensional anatomy of fetal complex cardiovascular anomalies.
• This technique significantly enhances the understanding of related pathomorphology.
• The findings suggest corrosion casting can improve prenatal diagnosis of complex fetal heart conditions.