Fetal echocardiography for diagnosis of coronary artery fistula

Abstract

Objective To explore the ultrasound characteristics of coronary artery fistula to improve its prenatal diagnosis. Methods Imaging data for 12 fetuses with coronary artery fistula who underwent fetal echocardiography at our hospital from June 2005 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed to summarize the ultrasound characteristics of coronary artery fistula. Results Of the 12 fetuses, 7 were confirmed with coronary artery fistula by echocardiography after birth, and the remaining 5 were aborted due to other cardiac abnormalities (since an autopsy was not performed, the diagnosis of coronary artery fistula could not be confirmed). Of the 7 confirmed cases, 1 had left coronary artery-to-right atrium fistula, 3 had left coronary artery-to-right ventricle fistula, and 3 had right coronary artery-to-right ventricle fistula; 1 had left coronary artery-to-right ventricle fistula with muscular ventricular septal defect, and 6 had simple coronary fistula. Two-dimensional ultrasound examination revealed that coronary arteries were displayed in all cases, and the diameter ranged from 1.8 to 4.0 mm. Color Doppler ultrasound clearly showed the fistula size, course and the situation fistulas drained into heart chambers. Diastolic regurgitation signal could be detected in the ascending aorta and aortic arch. Conclusion Coronary artery fistula can be diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound combined with spectral Doppler ultrasound when the fetal coronary artery expands. Key words: Fetus; Echocardiography, stress; Arterio-Arterial fistula; Ultrasonography, prenatal