IMPROVING RATE OF FETAL DIAGNOSIS OF COARCTATION OF THE AORTA IN ALBERTA. DOES IT RELATE TO OBSTETRIC SCREENING GUIDELINES?

Abstract

Coarctation of the aorta is one of the most difficult congenital cardiac lesions to detect in the fetus, and despite postnatal oximetry screening programs, remains the critical heart defect most likely to be undetected prior to neonatal discharge from hospital after birth. Since 2009 new formal Canadian obstetric ultrasound guidelines have been implemented that mandate evaluation of the ventricular outflow tracts and encourage views of the great arteries and arches. In 2013, the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology recommended further imaging where the ventricular outflow tracts could not be confirmed as normal. The rate of fetal detection of coarctation of the aorta in Alberta has not been audited over this era.