Prenatal diagnosis of type A fetal interrupted aortic arch by four-dimensional echocardiography with HD-flow STIC: A case report

Prenatal diagnosis of interrupted aortic arch using high-definition flow render mode and spatiotemporal image correlation

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical utility of two dimensional (2D) ultrasound combined with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) in diagnosing interrupted aortic arch (IAA) in fetal life.

METHODS

A total of 53 cases of fetal IAA were diagnosed using 2D ultrasound combined with STIC, and 53 normal fetuses of the same gestational week were selected. These cases were retrospectively analyzed to assess the utility of employing 2D ultrasound combined with STIC in the diagnosis of IAA.

RESULTS

2D ultrasound combined with STIC detected 22 cases of type A IAA, 24 cases of type B IAA, and seven cases of type C IAA. Furthermore, combining 2D ultrasound with STIC enabled dynamic visualization of the IAA, aiding in prenatal diagnosis. The diagnostic coincidence rate of IAA was found to be higher in the HD-flow combined with STIC than that in the 2D combined with HD-flow.

CONCLUSION

HD-flow combined with STIC can assist in diagnosing fetal IAA, and this technique has important clinical value.

Usefulness of three vessel-trachea view and parasagittal plan for prenatal diagnosis of interrupted aortic arch

BACKGROUND

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital heart disease characterized by loss of continuity between the ascending and the descending aorta. Prenatal diagnosis of IAA by echocardiography is challenging but nonetheless can be accomplished via a systematization of cardiac fetal evaluation.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of fetal IAA type A prenatally diagnosed through two-dimensional echocardiography using both a three vessel-trachea view and a sagittal view.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal counseling regarding the diagnosis and prognosis about this anomaly is still challenging nowadays due to associated anomalies/chromosomal abnormalities who may impact the prognosis. Fetal autopsy in all cases of pregnancy termination after abnormal ultrasound findings is important in order to make a full diagnosis and characterize the anomaly.