Predictive value of fetal echocardiographic parameters in surgical strategy for Tetralogy of Fallot

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate whether fetal echocardiographic parameters were predictive of the postnatal surgical treatment required for fetuses with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). MethodsThe fetal echocardiographic and postnatal clinical data of all cases of prenatal TOF at Xinhua Hospital from 2016 to 2020 were reviewed. Patients were categorized based on the operation type, and cardiac parameters were compared between groups. ResultsOf the 37 fetuses assessed, the development of the pulmonary valve annulus (PVA) was significantly poorer in the transannular patch group. Patients with a prenatal PVA z-score (Schneider's method) >= -2.645, a PVA z-score (Lee's method) >= -2.805, a PVA/aortic valve annulus diameter ratio >= .697, and a pulmonary annulus index >= .823 were more likely to undergo pulmonary valve-sparing surgery. There was a strong correlation between prenatal and postnatal PVA z-scores. The PVA growth potential was greater in the pulmonary valve-sparing surgery group. ConclusionsPVA-related parameters evaluated by fetal echocardiography can predict the type of surgical intervention required and are valuable in improving prenatal counseling in fetal cases of TOF.