Our study demonstrates that several cardiac parameters could have predictive values for determining the postnatal operation type for TOF fetuses with the largest number of patients. The PVA z-score, RPA z-score, and PV-PSV in the second and third trimesters; PVA/AVA ratio in the third trimester; and RPA/DAo ratio in the second trimester are useful markers for the prediction of the postnatal operation type. Particularly, a PVA z-score of − 3.2 or less in the second trimester and − 3.8 or less in the third trimester; an RPA z-score of − 0.5 or less in the second trimester and − 0.6 or less in the third trimester; and a PV-PSV of 1.2 m/s or greater in the second trimester and 1.4 m/s or greater in the third trimester were associated with a high probability of requiring a palliative shunt operation followed by complete repair, whereas when these values were conversely above or below the mentioned cutoff, only single-stage surgery was required. Furthermore, we also suggest that a PVA/AVA ratio of 0.63 or less in the third trimester, and an RPA/DAo ratio—the new cardiac parameter suggested for the first time in the fetal period—of 0.63 or less in the second trimester may predict the need for a multistage surgery.
Our findings are consistent with those of previous studies that evaluated prenatal echocardiographic markers that may predict the outcomes of fetuses with TOF[11–13] [14]. Several studies reported that fetuses who required neonatal intervention had lower PVA z-scores and PVA/AVA ratios[11, 13] [14], and other research suggested that a PV-PSV of 144.5 cm/s or greater measured at 34 to 38 weeks of gestation supported the accurate prediction of early intervention and placement of transannular patches in 23 TOF fetuses [12]. However, in contrast with previous reports that did not report any significance of fetal RPA z-score in the prediction of postnatal outcomes of TOF fetuses[12, 13], our study found that the RPA z-score as measured in the second and third trimesters could also be a marker for predicting the postnatal operation type.
The RPA/DAo ratio is derived from the neonatal McGoon ratio, which is calculated using neonatal CT angiography and is used for quantifying the degree of PA hypoplasia[9] [10]. In the neonatal period, pediatric cardiologists commonly rely on this ratio to determine the best operation type for neonates with TOF. Hence, in this study, we created a new cardiac parameter by modifying the neonatal McGoon ratio, in which we only included the RPA rather than the sum of the LPA and RPA. RPA can be easily measured in the three-vessel view because it originates at the right angle and runs behind the ascending aorta, whereas the LPA runs the same course as the main PA, making it challenging to differentiate between the LPA and ductus arteriosus. Furthermore, as this study was retrospective in nature, many cases did not have LPA images available in their records.
During gestation, the affected structures in fetuses with TOF may change progressively[15]. For this reason, echocardiographic evaluations performed at later stages of pregnancy could contribute more so to elucidating key differences than those measured at earlier stages. However, our results did not fully correlate with this concept. This may be because accurate measurements are sometimes difficult to collect at advanced GA in that ultrasonographic scans may fail to provide accurate information because of poor image quality due to fetal positioning or ossification of the fetal chest. Furthermore, retrospective natrue of the study potentially affects this discordancy.
All infants underwent either single- or multistage surgery, with all but one of the patients included in this study surviving. As such, we confirmed an excellent prognosis associated with TOF. Our study also found that several infants who underwent single-stage surgery developed secondary pulmonary obstruction, requiring balloon valvuloplasty or surgical correction. A previous study reported that the PVA z-score could predict the need for reintervention after primary surgical correction[14]. In the present study, we found that not only the PVA z-score but also the RPA z-score, PVA/AVA ratio, and RPA/DAo ratio are valuable parameters in predicting the need for a second procedure or reoperation. Meanwhile, the PV-PSV as measured in both trimesters did not show statistical significance; however, because there were only eight patients who required further intervention, it might have been difficult to obtain significant findings. Future studies should be conducted involving larger numbers of patients.
This study has several strengths. First, it included the largest sample size to date compared to other similar studies at single center [12] [16] [17]. Second, the data were collected longitudinally from the second trimester to the third trimester and demonstrated that changes in cardiac parameters occurred with advancing GA. Through these longitudinally collected data, we compared various fetal cardiac parameters at each trimester and suggested the cutoff values of various parameters relevant at each trimester for predicting the type of surgical operation required. Third, we only included postnatally confirmed TOF, excluding pulmonary atresia with VSD and other diseases that cause outflow obstruction, to avoid heterogeneity of the study population. In addition, we suggested a new parameter (the modified McGoon ratio) for predicting the operation type for fetuses with TOF.
However, this study also has several limitations. First, it was a retrospective study conducted at a single center. In addition, the analysis was limited to only include patients with available images. Furthermore, only one investigator selected the most appropriate image and measured the cardiac parameters. As such, selection bias was possible.