Right aortic arch with situs solitus

Prenatal diagnosis of right aortic arch: associated anomalies and fetal prognosis according to different subtypes

OBJECTIVES

Right aortic arch (RAA) is a rare anomaly with an incidence of 0.1 % in the adult population and low-risk fetuses. Our aim in this study was to evaluate associated anomalies and conditions according to subtypes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study examining consecutive pregnancies diagnosed with RAA in our hospital between 2018 and 2022. Fetuses with RAA were divided into three groups, RAA with right-sided ductus arteriosus (RAA-RDA), RAA with left-sided ductus arteriosus (RAA-LDA), and RAA with a double aortic arch (RAA-DAA).

RESULTS

A total of 81 fetuses were diagnosed as having RAA during the study period. The rate of cardiac anomalies (82.8 %) in the RAA-RDA group was higher than in the RAA-LDA (17.6 %) and RAA-DAA (22.2 %) groups (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of maternal age, diagnosis week, pregnancy outcome, extracardiac anomalies, and genetic anomalies. Three (8 %) of 36 fetuses with isolated RAA who resulted in live birth developed symptoms related to the vascular ring, and one (2.7 %) newborn with RAA-DAA underwent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of cardiac anomalies is high in fetuses with RAA-RDA. Ultrasound examinations should be performed for cardiac anomalies and additional structural anomalies. Vascular ring formation is a rare but important complication due to compression risk to the trachea and esophagus.

[Prenatally detected aortic arch anomalies and their consequences after birth]

INTRODUCTION

Aortic arch anomalies are frequently associated with cardiac or extracardiac malformations, chromosomal aberrations and postpartum esophagus/trachea compression.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to establish the prevalence of associated cardiac and extracardiac malformations, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with the diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies and to assess the pregnancy and the postnatal outcome.

METHOD

Retrospective cohort study of all fetuses with aortic arch anomalies and genetic diagnosis in a tertiary referral obstetric and fetal cardiology centre between 2016 and 2020. Postpartum data were collected within 24 months after birth.

RESULTS

In a cohort of 11.380 pregnant women, the prevalence of aortic arch anomalies was 0.25%. Among 28 cases of right aortic arch anomalies, in 27 fetuses prenatal genetic diagnosis was available. We diagnosed 4 fetuses with mirror-image branching (right sided V-sign) and 23 fetuses with U-sign (4 fetuses with complete double aortic arch). 18 cases (66%) were isolated. Associated anomalies were cardiac in 3 cases and extracardiac in 7 cases (33%). The most frequent cardiac anomaly was tetralogy of Fallot (2/27), the extracardiac anomalies were thymus hypoplasia, single umbilical artery and subclavian artery malformations. In 1 case (3.7%), fluorescent in situ hybridization diagnosed 22q11.2 microdeletion. 75% of fetuses with right sided V-sign were associated with conotruncal malformations. Pregnancy and postpartum outcome were known in 24 pregnancies. Postnatal diagnosis was different from prenatal in 2 cases, the concordance rate was 93%. Isolated cases resulted in live birth in 17/18 pregnancies (93%). The frequency of postpartum trachea/esophagus compression was 42,9% (9 cases) due to vascular ring, in 6 children (28,6%) operation was necessary.

CONCLUSION

Fetal aortic arch anomalies are multidisciplinary diseases to be diagnosed by proper prenatal ultrasound examination. Associated fetal anomalies necessitate extended obstetric and cardiac sonography, invasive prenatal testing should be offered, and thorough postnatal long-term follow-up is recommended. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(28): 1111-1120.

Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal outcomes of right aortic arch anomalies

PURPOSE

To give a report on the experience of our tertiary perinatology clinic on the pre- and postnatal management of the right aortic arch (RAA) by evaluating the patients as isolated and non-isolated RAA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients referred to our perinatology clinic for fetal echocardiography were evaluated retrospectively. They were assessed in two groups: isolated RAA and non-isolated RAA. The isolated RAA group consisted of patients without any additional cardiac or extracardiac anomalies. According to our routine practice, all patients received detailed prenatal ultrasonography following fetal echocardiography and genetic counseling.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients were evaluated. 38 patients (63.3%) presented with additional cardiac anomalies. 21.7% had extracardiac anomalies, including 16.7% who also had cardiac anomalies. In 2 patients (3.7%) 22q11.2 microdeletion, in 2 patients (3.7%) trisomy 21, in 1 patient (1.9%) trisomy 13 and in 1 patient (1.9%) 20p12.1p11.23 (a deletion of 2880 kbp) were reported. The most common cardiac anomaly associated with RAA was Tetralogy of Fallot (25%). Fetal growth restriction was reported in 8.3% of the cases. 18 patients had isolated RAA. 16 out of the 18 patients had normal genetic analysis. 2 of them (11.11%) presented with a 22q11.2 microdeletion.

CONCLUSION

A single-center experience on the diagnosis and management of RAA has been reported in this study. The results indicate that a prenatal cardiac evaluation in 3VV is of utmost importance in all pregnancies to detect RAA and refer these patients to the appropriate perinatology clinics for further evaluation and care.

Ebstein Anomaly and Right Aortic Arch in Patient with Charge Syndrome

Ebstein anomaly is a rare congenital heart disease characterized by a varying degree of anatomical and functional abnormalities of tricuspid valve and right ventricle. It often coexists with other congenital cardiac malformations. Up to 79–89% of patients with Ebstein anomaly have interatrial communication in the form of patent oval foramen or atrial septal defect and more than one-third has other types of cardiac malformations. Association between Ebstein anomaly and right aortic arch is extremely rare and only few cases have been described in the literature so far. Much rarer than with other cardiac malformations, Ebstein anomaly is associated with non-cardiac malformations or genetic syndromes. Several cases of association between Ebstein anomaly and Charge syndrome have been reported, nevertheless, Ebstein anomaly accounts for less than 1% of cardiac defects seen in patients with Charge syndrome. In this case report, we present a unique case of a patient with Charge syndrome where both Ebstein anomaly and right aortic arch are present. The diagnosis of Ebstein anomaly and right aortic arch was established prenatally. In the first years of life, the patient did not exhibit any remarkable symptoms. However, over time, deterioration of right ventricle function and increased tricuspid regurgitation were observed, requiring consideration of surgical treatment at the age of five. In addition, delay in physical, motor, and mental development was observed and thus, at the age of five, the patient was consulted by a medical geneticist and a gene panel to test for structural heart defects was ordered. The test showed a mutation in chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 (CHD7) gene, which, along with clinical features, allowed to establish a diagnosis of Charge syndrome. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with Charge syndrome, Ebstein anomaly, and right aortic arch that has been described in the literature.

Right aortic arch forming a true vascular ring: a clinical review

OBJECTIVES

This review aims at presenting and summarizing the current state of literature on the presentation and surgical management of a right-sided aortic arch with a left-sided ligamentum forming a complete vascular ring around the oesophagus and trachea.

METHODS

A systematic database search for appropriate literature was conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE. Articles were considered relevant when providing details on the presentation, diagnosis and surgical treatment of this specific congenital arch anomaly in human beings.

RESULTS

Affected patients present with respiratory and/or oesophageal difficulties due to tracheoesophageal compression. Conservative treatment might be reasonable in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases; however, once moderate-to-severe symptoms develop, surgical intervention is definitely indicated. Surgery is commonly performed through a left thoracotomy or median sternotomy and includes the division of the left ductal ligamentum; if a Kommerell's diverticulum is present that is >1.5 times the diameter of the subclavian artery, then concomitant resection of the large diverticulum and translocation of the aberrant left subclavian artery is also conducted. Postoperative morbidity and mortality are low and are rather related to concomitant intracardiac and extracardiac anomalies than to the procedure itself. In a majority of patients, full resolution of symptoms is seen within months to years from the surgery. Nevertheless, there is also a subset of patients who remain with some tracheobronchial narrowing, sometimes even requiring reintervention during follow-up due to persisting or recurring symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the surgical management of a right aortic arch forming a true vascular ring in infancy, childhood and adulthood seems relatively safe and effective in providing symptomatic relief despite some persistent tracheobronchial and/or oesophageal narrowing in some cases.

Prenatal findings and pregnancy outcome in fetuses with right and double aortic arch. A 10-year experience at a tertiary center

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of the prenatal diagnosis and the relation between the type of right aortic arch (RAA) with other intra- or extracardiac (EC) and chromosomal anomalies.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational study was conducted between 2011-2020 in a Romanian tertiary center. All RAA cases, including double aortic arch (DAA), were extracted from the databases and studied thoroughly.

RESULTS

We detected 18 RAA cases: five (27.78%) type I (mirror image, "V" type), 11 (61.12%) type II ("U" type), and two (11.10%) DAA cases. Heart anomalies were associated in 38.89% (overall), 60% (type I), 36.37% (type II), and 0% (DAA) cases. Tetralogy of Fallot represented the most prevalent cardiac malformation (in 22.23% of cases). EC anomalies were present in 44.44% of fetuses (20% of type I, 54.55% of type II, and 50% of DAA cases). Genetic abnormalities were found in 41.17% of pregnancies, with 22q11.2 deletion in 23.53%. 55.55% of the cases had a good neonatal evolution and 44.45% of the pregnancies were terminated. An overall good outcome of pregnancy was noted in 40% of type I RAA, 63.64% of type II RAA, and 50% of DAA cases. All RAA cases examined in the first trimester were correctly diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

RAA can be accurately diagnosed and classified by means of prenatal ultrasound since early pregnancy. A detailed anatomy scan and genetic testing, including 22q11 deletion, should be offered to all pregnancies when RAA is discovered. When isolated, RAA associates a good outcome, indifferently the anatomical type.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome and congenital heart disease

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome has an estimated prevalence of 1 in 4-6,000 livebirths. The phenotype varies widely; the most common features include: facial dysmorphia, hypocalcemia, palate and speech disorders, feeding and gastrointestinal disorders, immunodeficiency, recurrent infections, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, and congenital heart disease. Approximately 60-80% of patients have a cardiac malformation most commonly including a subset of conotruncal defects (tetralogy of Fallot, truncus arteriosus, interrupted aortic arch type B), conoventricular and/or atrial septal defects, and aortic arch anomalies. Cardiac patients with a 22q11.2 deletion do not generally experience higher mortality upon surgical intervention but suffer more peri-operative complications than their non-syndromic counterparts. New guidelines suggest screening for a 22q11.2 deletion in the patient with tetralogy of Fallot, truncus arteriosus, interrupted aortic arch type B, conoventricular septal defects as well as those with an isolated aortic arch anomaly. Early identification of a 22q11.2 deletion in the neonate or infant when other syndromic features may not be apparent allows for timely parental screening for reproductive counseling and anticipatory evaluation of cardiac and noncardiac features. Screening the at-risk child or adult allows for important age-specific clinical, neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and reproductive issues to be addressed.

Fetal pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect: Features, associations, and outcome in fetuses with different pulmonary circulation supply types

OBJECTIVES

To assess features and outcome in fetuses with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD).

METHODS

Fetuses with PA-VSD were prospectively enrolled and grouped on the basis of the pulmonary blood supply, including type A (only arterial duct [DA]), type B (both DA and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries [MAPCAs] present), and type C (MAPCAs only). The echocardiography features, associated chromosomal/genetic malformations, and postnatal outcome were compared among the three groups.

RESULTS

Fifty-five fetuses with PA-VSD were enrolled. The presence of confluent PAs varied, with the highest displaying rate in type A and lowest rate in type C (100% vs 41.1%). The intrapericardial pulmonary arteries in all groups were hypoplastic but smaller in types B and C than in type A (P < .05). Deletion of 22q11.2 and right aortic arch were more frequently observed in types B and C than in type A. At the end of the study, overall survival rates in type C were lower than those in type A (22.1% vs 77.3%).

CONCLUSION

There are great differences in the size of pulmonary arteries, associated genetic malformations, and perinatal outcomes among fetuses with PA-VSD. These results could be used for family counseling and surgical planning.