Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2025
09:31
Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography
Published on: January 27, 2023
1.0K
Can Prenatal Diagnosis of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) Using Routine Fetal Ultrasound be Improved?
Jack Heard1, Reeni Soni2, Katarina Nikel3
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Radiology Research and Practice
|January 10, 2023
Summary
Improved prenatal detection of total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is possible using standard fetal ultrasound markers. Specific algorithms show high accuracy, but sensitive screening tools for the general population are still needed.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Fetal Medicine
- Cardiology
Background:
- Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is a critical congenital heart defect.
- Prenatal diagnosis of TAPVR can be challenging with standard ultrasound.
- Identifying common fetal ultrasound markers is crucial for early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most frequent fetal ultrasound markers for TAPVR in mid-trimester scans.
- To evaluate the performance of diagnostic algorithms for improving prenatal TAPVR diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- A matched case-control study involving 21 TAPVR cases and 84 controls.
- Review of stored fetal ultrasound images using nine standardized sonographic markers.
- Comparison of diagnostic algorithms based on sensitivity and specificity.
Main Results:
- Absence of pulmonary vein entry into the left atrium (LA) was the most common marker (42.9%).
- Abnormal Coumadin ridge (38.1%), larger post-LA spaces, and wider aortic diameters were also significant findings in TAPVR cases.
- A diagnostic algorithm combining absent pulmonary veins and abnormal Coumadin ridge achieved 90.5% specificity and 61.9% sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Standard fetal ultrasound images can improve the prenatal detection of isolated TAPVR.
- A standardized diagnostic approach offers high specificity for fetal TAPVR.
- Further development of sensitive screening algorithms is required for widespread population use.
