Neonatal Coarctation Research Articles

Left Ventricular Strain, Arch Angulation, and Velocity-Time Integral Ratio Improve Performance of a Clinical Pathway for Fetal Diagnosis of Neonatal Coarctation of the Aorta

Plain Language SummaryCoarctation of the aorta is challenging to diagnosis in fetal life. New fetal echocardiographic techniques have been developed to help predict the development of surgical coarctation of the aorta after birth but have not been externally validated or compared to each other. We sought to validate these metrics and compare their utility in predicting surgical coarctation of the aorta in a retrospective cohort of previously identified fetuses at risk for coarctation of the aorta. We found that among fetuses with prenatal concern for coarctation of the aorta, novel metrics were significantly different between surgical and non-surgical cases. Our results indicate that the incorporation of novel metrics can add diagnostic value for fetal coarctation of the aorta with higher specificity than previous high-risk criteria, without compromising the sensitivity of the low-risk group. The ability to identify fetuses at the highest risk for surgical coarctation may improve prenatal counseling, allow for more consistent surgical planning, and ultimately optimize hospital resource allocation.

Aortic Coarctation Associated with Distal Aortic Arch Hypoplasia in Neonates Can Be Effectively Repaired through Left Thoracotomy

Objectives. Aortic coarctation in neonates remains a clinical challenge. Low weight, arch hypoplasia and ductal dependence have been identified as risk factors for recurrent coarctation. We hypothesized that a tailored surgical technique may prevent recurrence. Methods. Retrospective evaluation of neonates treated for coarctation through thoracotomy was done. No primary percutaneous procedure was performed and repairs through sternotomy were excluded. Aortic hypoplasia was defined as a ratio arch diameter (mm)/patient’s weight (kg) < 1. Extended end-to-end anastomosis (EEEA), subclavian flap (Waldhausen) and Amato aortoplasty were performed. Mortality and recurrent obstruction requiring re-intervention were assessed. Results. Records of 340 consecutive patients (2003–2019) were analyzed. Preoperative median age and weight were, respectively, 10 days (1–30) and 3080 grams (1400–5180). Arch hypoplasia was documented in 31 patients (9.1%). Prostaglandin was infused in 220 (65.3%). Critical preoperative status was documented in 35 (10.8%). EEEA repair was performed in 273 (80.3%), Waldhausen was performed in 42 (12.4%), and Amato was performed in 25 (7.4%). The last two were more likely to be performed in the presence of arch hypoplasia ( p < 0.0001). Hospital mortality occurred in 2 patients (0.6%). Thirty-six procedures (31 percutaneous/5 surgical) were performed for recurrent arch obstruction in 33 patients. Three late deaths occurred. Low-weight, hypoplastic arch, and ductal dependency did not influence the outcome. All survivors were free from residual coarctation at a mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 3.4 years postoperatively. Conclusions. Surgical repair remains the procedure of choice for neonatal coarctation. A tailored approach using alternative techniques seemed to offer comparable results even in presence of associated risk factors.

A Prediction Model for Neonatal Coarctation Repair Involving Fetal and Neonatal Echocardiographic Parameters

Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate the predictive value of fetal and neonatal echocardiographic parameters for neonatal coarctation repair in fetuses suspected of coarctation of the aorta (CoA), establish a prediction model for neonatal coarctation repair, and verify its predictive effectiveness and clinical applicability. Methods. From September 2017 to September 2022, fetuses suspected with CoA were enrolled. They were divided into two groups based on the need for neonatal coarctation repair. Fetal and neonatal echocardiographic parameters and clinical characteristics were collected retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were applied to select significant predictors, which were further used to establish the nomogram prediction model. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was employed to quantify its discrimination ability. The calibration curve was drawn for internal verification, and the decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC) were used to evaluate the clinical applicability of the prediction model. Results. This study included 50 infants suspected of CoA prenatally, of which 16 (32%) received aortic coarctation repair in the neonatal period and 34 (68%) did not. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the fetal echocardiographic parameter aortic isthmus/ductus arteriosus (AoI/DA) diameter ratio and the neonatal echocardiographic parameters such as the distance from left common carotid to left subclavian artery (LCSA) and the diameter of distal transverse aortic arch (DTAA) were independent predictors for neonatal coarctation repair. The ROC curve of the model showed excellent predictive value (AUC = 0.943). The calibration curve of the prediction model exhibited good fitness. The DCA and CIC demonstrated that the model had good clinical utility. Conclusion. The prediction model, which combines the fetal echocardiographic parameter AoI/DA diameter ratio and the neonatal echocardiographic parameters distance of LCSA and DTAA diameter, has an exceptional level of clinical value and prediction accuracy.

Neonatal coarctation of the aorta: A 10 years observational study to identify influencing factor of the technique of surgery

Neonatal coarctation of the aorta: A 10 years observational study to identify influencing factor of the technique of surgery

Recovery of Biventricular Function After Catheter Intervention or Surgery for Neonatal Coarctation of the Aorta

BackgroundCritical coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a life-threatening condition in newborns that is associated with biventricular dysfunction. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine clinical outcome and echocardiographic changes in isthmus diameter and biventricular function in newborns with critical CoA treated with balloon dilation/stent placement or surgery. MethodsThis is a retrospective single-center cohort study of 26 consecutive neonates with isolated critical CoA, who underwent transcatheter intervention (balloon angioplasty/stent; n = 10) or surgical CoA-repair (n = 16) (2012-2021). Isthmus dimensions and biventricular function at baseline and at hospital discharge were examined by echocardiography, including strain analysis of systolic and diastolic function using 2-dimensional speckle tracking. ResultsCardiogenic shock at hospital admission was more frequent in the interventional vs the surgical cohort (50% vs 25% of neonates). Echocardiographic isthmus diameter increased with therapy by 0.9 ± 0.1 mm and 1.0 ± 0.1 mm, respectively. Severe systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was more common in interventional patients pre-therapy (LV ejection fraction <50% in 90% vs 38% of surgical patients), resulting in strongly reduced longitudinal strain (LV: −12.3% vs −16.3%; right ventricle:−13.8% vs −16.1% in the interventional and surgical patients, respectively). Prior to hospital discharge, all 26 patients had full recovery of biventricular systolic function, including normalization of longitudinal, radial, and circumferential LV strain and longitudinal right ventricular free wall strain. Improvement of LV diastolic function by strain analysis was evident in both cohorts pre-hospital discharge. ConclusionsInitial treatment of isolated CoA by percutaneous transcatheter intervention or surgical repair results in recovery of biventricular systolic function, making transcatheter treatment particularly suitable as rescue therapy for neonates with critical CoA.

Subjective and Objective Sonographic Assessment for the Prenatal Detection of Neonatal Coarctation of the Aorta

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the performance of antenatal ultrasound markers in detecting neonatal coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Methods: We performed a retrospective study including fetuses with suspected CoA and no other cardiac abnormalities. Data obtained from antenatal ultrasounds included subjective assessment of ventricular and arterial asymmetry, appearance of aortic arch, presence of a persistent left superior vena cava, and objective Z-score measurements of the mitral, tricuspid, aortic (AV), and pulmonary (PV) valves. Performance of antenatal ultrasound markers in predicting postnatal CoA was then assessed. Results: Of the 83 fetuses referred for suspected CoA, 30 (36.1%) had confirmed CoA postnatally. The sensitivity and specificity for antenatal diagnosis were 83.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 65.3–94.4%) and 45.3% (95% CI: 31.6–59.6%), respectively. Neonates with confirmed CoA had lower mean AV Z-scores (−2.1 vs. −1.1, p = 0.01), higher PV Z-scores (1.6 vs. 0.8, p = 0.03), and a lower AV/PV ratio (0.5 vs. 0.6, p < 0.001). Subjective assessments of symmetry and the incidence of persistent left superior vena cava did not differ between groups. Among the variables studied, the most promising marker for CoA was the AV/PV ratio (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67–0.94). Conclusion: The use of objective sonographic markers, in particular measurements of the AV and PV, shows a trend toward an improvement in prenatal detection of CoA. Confirmation in larger studies is required.

Learning the Hidden Signature of Fetal Arch Anatomy: a Three-Dimensional Shape Analysis in Suspected Coarctation of the Aorta

Neonatal coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a common congenital heart defect. Its antenatal diagnosis remains challenging, and its pathophysiology is poorly understood. We present a novel statistical shape modeling (SSM) pipeline to study the role and predictive value of arch shape in CoA in utero. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) data of 112 fetuses with suspected CoA was acquired and motion-corrected to three-dimensional volumes. Centerlines from fetal arches were extracted and used to build a statistical shape model capturing relevant anatomical variations. A linear discriminant analysis was used to find the optimal axis between CoA and false positive cases. The CoA shape risk score classified cases with an area under the curve of 0.907. We demonstrate the feasibility of applying a SSM pipeline to three-dimensional fetal CMR data while providing novel insights into the anatomical determinants of CoA and the relevance of in utero arch anatomy for antenatal diagnosis of CoA.Graphical abstract

Transverse aortic arch sparing technique for coarctation of aorta with distal arch hypoplasia

Several techniques were proposed for the management of patients with neonatal coarctation with distal aortic arch hypoplasia. Despite good results with various techniques, controversy persists. We introduce an approach which is focusing on preserving the native length of the arch and creating a favorable arch shape, and thus has a potential to reduce long-term morbidity. This paper provides a step-by-step description of the process.

Surgical Treatment Following Stent Angioplasty for High-Risk Neonates With Critical Coarctation of the Aorta.

BackgroundNeonatal coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is primarily treated by surgical repair. However, under certain high-risk constellations, initial stent angioplasty may be considered followed by surgical repair. We report our experience with this staged approach. Methods: All patients undergoing surgical CoA repair following prior stenting at our institution between January 2011 and December 2019 were included in this retrospective analysis. The patients were classified to be at high risk because of cardiogenic shock, associated complex cardiac malformations, neonatal infection, necrotizing enterocolitis, and extracardiac conditions, respectively. Outcomes were analyzed and compared with neonates who underwent surgical CoA repair without prior stenting in the same observation period.ResultsTwenty-six neonates received stent implantation at a median age of 20 days (IQR 9-33 days). Subsequent surgical repair was conducted at an age of 4.2 months (IQR 3.2-6.1 months) with a median body weight of 5.6 kg (IQR 4.5-6.5 kg). Cardiopulmonary bypass was applied in 96% of cases. Extended end-to-end anastomosis was possible in 11 patients. Extended reconstruction with patch material was necessary in the remaining patients. One fatality (3.8%) occurred 33 days postoperatively. At a median follow-up of 5.2 years after initial stenting, all remaining patients were alive; 15/25 patients (60%) were free from re-intervention. Of note, re-intervention rates were comparable in neonates (n = 76) who were operated on with native CoA (28/74 patients; 38%; P = .67).ConclusionsNeonatal stent angioplasty for CoA results in increased complexity of the subsequent surgical repair. Nevertheless, this staged approach allows to bridge high-risk neonates to later surgical repair with reduced perioperative risk and acceptable midterm outcomes.

3D black blood cardiovascular magnetic resonance atlases of congenital aortic arch anomalies and the normal fetal heart: application to automated multi-label segmentation

BackgroundImage-domain motion correction of black-blood contrast T2-weighted fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) using slice-to-volume registration (SVR) provides high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) images of the fetal heart providing excellent 3D visualisation of vascular anomalies [1]. However, 3D segmentation of these datasets, important for both clinical reporting and the application of advanced analysis techniques is currently a time-consuming process requiring manual input with potential for inter-user variability.MethodsIn this work, we present novel 3D fetal CMR population-averaged atlases of normal and abnormal fetal cardiovascular anatomy. The atlases are created using motion-corrected 3D reconstructed volumes of 86 third trimester fetuses (gestational age range 29-34 weeks) including: 28 healthy controls, 20 cases with postnatally confirmed neonatal coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and 38 vascular rings (21 right aortic arch (RAA), 17 double aortic arch (DAA)). We used only high image quality datasets with isolated anomalies and without any other deviations in the cardiovascular anatomy.In addition, we implemented and evaluated atlas-guided registration and deep learning (UNETR) methods for automated 3D multi-label segmentation of fetal cardiac vessels. We used images from CoA, RAA and DAA cohorts including: 42 cases for training (14 from each cohort), 3 for validation and 6 for testing. In addition, the potential limitations of the network were investigated on unseen datasets including 3 early gestational age (22 weeks) and 3 low SNR cases.ResultsWe created four atlases representing the average anatomy of the normal fetal heart, postnatally confirmed neonatal CoA, RAA and DAA. Visual inspection was undertaken to verify expected anatomy per subgroup. The results of the multi-label cardiac vessel UNETR segmentation showed 100% per-vessel detection rate for both normal and abnormal aortic arch anatomy.ConclusionsThis work introduces the first set of 3D black-blood T2-weighted CMR atlases of normal and abnormal fetal cardiovascular anatomy including detailed segmentation of the major cardiovascular structures. Additionally, we demonstrated the general feasibility of using deep learning for multi-label vessel segmentation of 3D fetal CMR images.

Abstract 11778: Comparison of Prenatal Diagnosis Rates and Cardiac Morphometry in Fetal Coarctation by Ultimate Surgical Repair Type

Background: Fetal diagnosis of coarctation of aorta is challenging, with limited data examining prenatal detection rates in patients requiring simple vs. extensive arch reconstruction. This study aims to evaluate prenatal detection rate s and fetal cardiac morphometric differences in neonates requiring simple vs. complex coarctation repair. Methods: Pre- and postnatal records of neonates with isolated coarctation repair from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database from Jan 2010 - Dec 2020 at our center were reviewed. Patients were classified as requiring discrete (Group 1) or extended arch repair (Group 2). Fetal echocardiograms were measured by a single observer blinded to repair type. Results: Of 228 neonates requiring repair, 67 (29%) had a prenatal diagnosis. The proportion with prenatal diagnosis was not different in group 1 (28%) vs. group 2 (32%) (χ2 = 0.45, p = 0.5). At the first fetal echo (median gestational age (GA) of 21.9 wks in group 1 vs 23.6 wks in group 2, p = 0.2), there were no differences between groups when comparing right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dimensions, valvular dimensions, or aortic arch dimensions. At the final fetal echo (median GA of 33.7 wks in both groups, p = 0.6), there were statistical differences between group 1 and 2 in RV geometry with ratio of RV minor to major axis (0.72 vs 0.83, p = 0.03) and ratio of LV to RV minor axis (0.68 vs 0.59, p = 0.02), ascending aorta Z score (-2.6 vs -3.4, p = 0.03), distal arch Z score (-3.9 vs -4.6, p = 0.048), and ratio of isthmus to distal arch dimension (0.88 vs 1.02, p = 0.045) (Figure). Conclusion: The rate of prenatal diagnosis in fetuses requiring neonatal coarctation repair remains low, regardless of ultimate surgical repair type. Fetuses ultimately requiring extensive arch repair have smaller aortic sizes, and greater RV/LV size disproportion in the third trimester. This data may be useful in counseling families with regard to postnatal surgical management in fetuses with suspected coarctation.

Pseudoaneurysm following a neonatal coarctation repair; a dreadful complication.

Aneurysms of descending thoracic aorta following surgical repair of coarctation have been reported in literature. Almost always, they are seen in repairs involving prosthetic patch aortoplasty. We report a neonate who underwent resection and an extended end to end anastomosis repair of coarctation and subsequently developed a huge pseudoaneurysm at a 3-month follow-up. He underwent a repair of the same through a sternotomy approach under hypothermic low flow cardiopulmonary bypass. An autologous pericardial patch aortoplasty was done successfully.

Tailored surgical technique for neonatal coarctation repair through thoracotomy

Aortic coarctation in neonate continues to pose a clinical challenge. Low weight, arch hypoplasia and ductal dependence have been identified as risk factors for recurrent coarctation. We hypothesized that a tailored surgical technique may prevent this complication. Retrospective evaluation of neonates who presented for coarctation repaired through thoracotomy was conducted. No primary percutaneous procedure was performed and sternotomy repairs were excluded. Hypoplasia was defined as a ratio of echocardiographic and perioperative distal arch diameter (mm)/weight (kg) < 1. Traditional extended end-to-end anastomosis (EEE), subclavian flap (Waldhausen) and double flap distal arch enlargement by Amato aortoplasty were employed. Mortality and recoarctation requiring reintervention in follow-up were assessed. Records of 340 patients (2003–2019) were analyzed. Median age and weight at repair were 10 [2–30] days and 3080 [1100–5200] g, respectively. Arch hypoplasia was documented in 31 patients (9.1%). Prostaglandin was infused in 220 (65.3%), preoperative mechanical ventilation and inotropic support was documented in 35 (10.8%). EEE repair was performed in 273 (80.3%). Waldhausen in 42 (12.4%) and Amato in 25 (7.4%) were more likely to be performed in presence of arch hypoplasia ( P < 0.0001). Concomitant PAB for associated VSD was necessary in 72 (21.2%). Hospital mortality occurred in 2 (0.58%). Thirty-six procedures (31 percutaneous, 5 surgical) for recoarctation were performed in 33 patients in a median delay of 111 [26–3050] days. One late death occurred. Both low weight ( P = 0.14), hypoplastic arch ( P = 0.65) and ductal dependency ( P = 0.34) did not influence outcome. At 3.6 ± 3.4 years postoperatively, all survivors presented with no residual coarctation. Primary surgical repair for neonatal coarctation still appears to be the gold standard. Even in presence of associated risk factors, a tailored approach using alternative techniques seems to offer comparable results in neonatal coarctation repair.

Axillary arterial access for balloon dilatation of coarctation of aorta in newborns: a case series.

Balloon dilatation of coarctation of aorta is a standard of care for the patients presenting with severe left ventricular dysfunction. It can be performed through femoral, carotid, and axillary arterial access. Very few case series were available in the literature through axillary arterial access, despite being its advantage as non-end artery and easily palpable in coarctation of aorta. We present our experience with five cases of neonatal coarctation of aorta with severe left ventricular dysfunction where successful balloon dilatation of coarctation of aorta was performed via axillary approach without adverse events.

Spontaneous Aortic Thrombosis in a Neonate

Spontaneous aortic thrombosis is a serious clinical entity with clinical features that mimic neonatal coarctation of aorta. While both conditions manifest with weak femoral pulses, pallor and poikilothermia of lower limbs are unique to spontaneous aortic thrombosis. Proper imaging helps in precise diagnosis. A combination of thrombolysis and anticoagulation is used for resolution of thrombus. We present images of a neonate with spontaneous aortic thrombosis and its clinical management strategies.

Analysis of 3-Dimensional Arch Anatomy, Vascular Flow, and Postnatal Outcome in Cases of Suspected Coarctation of the Aorta Using Fetal Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Identifying fetuses at risk of severe neonatal coarctation of the aorta (CoA) can be lifesaving but is notoriously challenging in clinical practice with a high rate of false positives. Novel fetal 3-dimensional and phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers an unprecedented means of assessing the human fetal cardiovascular system before birth. We performed detailed MRI assessment of fetal vascular morphology and flows in a cohort of fetuses with suspected CoA, correlated with the need for postnatal intervention. Women carrying a fetus with suspected CoA on echocardiography were referred for MRI assessment between 26 and 36 weeks of gestation, including high-resolution motion-corrected 3-dimensional volumes of the fetal heart and phase-contrast flow sequences gated with metric optimized gating. The relationship between aortic geometry and vascular flows was then analyzed and compared with postnatal outcome. Seventy-two patients (51 with suspected fetal CoA and 21 healthy controls) underwent fetal MRI with motion-corrected 3-dimensional vascular reconstructions. Vascular flow measurements from phase-contrast sequences were available in 53 patients. In the CoA group, 25 of 51 (49%) required surgical repair of coarctation after birth; the remaining 26 of 51 (51%) were discharged without neonatal intervention. Reduced blood flow in the fetal ascending aorta and at the aortic isthmus was associated with increasing angulation (P=0.005) and proximal displacement (P=0.006) of the isthmus and was seen in both true positive and false positive cases. A multivariate logistic regression model including aortic flow and isthmal displacement explained 78% of the variation in outcome and correctly predicted the need for intervention in 93% of cases. Reduced blood flow though the left heart is associated with important configurational changes at the aortic isthmus in fetal life, predisposing to CoA when the arterial duct closes after birth. Novel fetal MRI techniques may have a role in both understanding and accurately predicting severe neonatal CoA.

Fetal Diagnosis is Associated with Improved Perioperative Condition of Neonates Requiring Surgical Intervention for Coarctation.

To define the relative importance of fetal diagnosis and comorbidities in severity of preoperative compromise, outcomes and hospitalization in neonatal coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Retrospective comparison of preoperative condition and postoperative course of neonates prenatally (PreDx n = 48) or postnatally diagnosed (PostDx n = 67) with CoA. Congenital and non-congenital comorbidities were adjusted for. Postnatal diagnosis was associated with preoperative mortality (n = 2), and severe acidosis (lactate > 5 mM or pH < 7.20) on multivariate analysis (OR 4.2 (1.3-14.4, p = 0.02), with extracardiac congenital anomalies also a risk factor (OR 3.2 (1.03-10, p = 0.044). Median age at operation was delayed in the PostDx group (PreDx 6.5 days (IQR 4-9) vs PostDx 10 days (IQR 6-17)). Only comorbid left heart disease and extracardiac congenital anomalies were associated with prolonged total length of hospital stay. Prenatal diagnosis is the major adjustable risk factor affecting preoperative condition in critical CoA but does not reduce length of stay.

Validation of Prenatal Aortic Arch Angle Measurements in the Diagnosis of Neonatal Coarctation of the Aorta.

Prenatal prediction of coarctation of the aorta (CoA)is challenging. Methods identifying prenatal CoA have high sensitivity with significant false positives.Wepreviously derivedprenatalaortic arch angles for identifying CoA with high sensitivity and specificityand aim tovalidate theseangles and compare them with a modelutilizingascending aorta (AAo)andisthmus (Aoi)measures. Retrospective case/cohort study of fetuses with prenatal suspicion for CoA.35 fetuseswere included. Measurements included: ascending-descending aortic angle (AAo.DAo), transverse-descending aortic angle (TAo.DAo); diameters and z-scores of Aoi from sagittal (Aoi-sag), three-vessel (Aoi-3VV)viewand AAo. Discriminant functions for the 5 variables were compared using histograms and positive/negative predictive values (PPV/NPV). CoA was confirmed in 28/35 neonates.The PPV and NPV for angle measures were 100% and 77%. The AAo + Aoi-3VV model PPV and NPV were 92% and 80% and Aoi-sag + Aoi-3VV model were 82% and 71%. A linear discriminant model utilizing the3 most predictive variables improvedNPV to 90% and PPV to 100%. In conclusion, we validate that angle measuresare superior to standard models of predicting CoA. Anoptimized 3 variable model maintains accuracy of identifying CoA while eliminating false positives.

Prediction of neonatal coarctation of the aorta at fetal echocardiography: a scoring system

Introduction Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is common and can lead to neonatal emergency. Despite its burden, antenatal detection of this condition remains inaccurate. Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of fetal echocardiography and to design a scoring system for risk stratification of CoA in suspected cases. Design A retrospective cohort study. Setting S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy. Population About 140 fetuses referred for suspected CoA to our tertiary center in a 9-year period. Methods The following parameters were systematically obtained at fetal echocardiography: ventricular disproportion, great vessels asymmetry, transverse aortic arch hypoplasia, flow turbulence, and Z-scores of the ascending aorta and of the aortic isthmus. Associated anomalies were recorded, if present. When CoA was not confirmed at birth, neonates were followed up for 12 months to identify also a tardive onset of this condition. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was the presence of COA after birth. Results 108 fetuses were eligible for the purpose of the study. CoA was confirmed postnatally in 55 neonates (50.9%). Arch hypoplasia yielded the highest correlation with CoA. The affected neonates presented also significantly lower Z scores of the ascending aorta and of the aortic isthmus. Earlier gestational age at referral was positively correlated with neonatal CoA. An odds ratio-based multiparametric model was designed to build a scoring system (AUC 0.89). Conclusion In our cohort, no single ultrasound parameter was sufficiently accurate to predict postnatal CoA. The scoring system permitted a better identification of the affected fetuses.

Validation of prenatal aortic arch angle measurements in the diagnosis of neonatal coarctation of the aorta

Background: Prenatal prediction of critical coarctation of the aorta (CoA) remains a challenge, while delayed postnatal diagnosis increases morbidity and mortality. Standard methods to identify prenatal CoA have high sensitivity at the expense of significant false positives. We previously derived novel methods of prenatal aortic arch angles for identifying CoA with high sensitivity and specificity. We aim to validate these methods in a new subset of patients and compare them …