Image characteristics and main types of abnormal branching of fetal pulmonary artery in prenatal echocardiography — a retrospective study

• Published in: Ginekologia polska 2024-02, Vol.95 (6), p.460-466
• Main Authors: Yan, Huaying, Zhang, Chunguo, He, Lihong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Pulmonary arteries
• ISSN: 0017-0011; 2543-6767
• DOI: 10.5603/gpl.96884

OBJECTIVES: To explore the image characteristics and main types of abnormal branching of fetal pulmonary artery in prenatal echocardiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 41 cases diagnosed with abnormal branching of fetal pulmonary artery by prenatal echocardiography was made. The image characteristics of the abnormalities, their combination with intra- or extra-cardiac malformations and chromosomal anomalies were analyzed. RESULTS: The results of prenatal echocardiography showed that, among the 41 cases, 1) 4 cases were with anomalous origin of single pulmonary artery, 8 cases with pulmonary artery agenesis, 9 cases with pulmonary artery sling; 20 cases with crossed pulmonary arteries. 2) 11 cases were complicated with intracardiac malformations and 10 with extracardiac malformations. 3) Only 7 case underwent chromosomal examination and 1 tested abnormal. 4) Pregnancy outcomes: 25 fetuses were born and their abnormalities confirmed by echocardiography (MRI or surgery) to be consistent with prenatal ultrasound diagnosis; 16 cases had their pregnancy terminated due to their combination with other severe malformations, which were confirmed by pathological anatomy after induced abortion. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal echocardiography can provide detailed images for the diagnosis of abnormal branching of fetal pulmonary artery, which can be complicated by intra- and extracardiac malformations and chromosomal anomalies and should be alerted.