Fetal cardiac interventions

In the last 15­20 years, fetal cardiac interventions have become an accepted therapeutic modality for some complex congenital heart diseases (CHD) in utero, including aortic stenosis (AS) and evolving hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), HLHS with intact or highly restrictive interatrial septum (IAS), and pulmonary atresia (PA) or critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS) with intact ventricular septum (IVS) and evolving hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS). The purpose of a fetal cardiac intervention is to remodel cardiac morphology and function and improve pre- and postnatal outcomes. Increased survival rates, reduced morbidity, and increased likelihood of achieving a biventricular (BV) circulation may all result from a successful fetal cardiac intervention in some scenarios. The objective of this chapter is to give an overview of these procedures with emphasis on pictures to illustrate how they are performed in a step-to-step fashion. (AU)

Future Directions of Fetal Interventions in Congenital Heart Disease.

Fetal interventions for congenital heart disease have become important treatment modalities in the past 10 to 15 years. The basic hypothesis has been that a prenatal intervention may remodel cardiac morphology and function to such an extent that it may favorably alter the in utero natural history, resulting in improved prenatal and postnatal outcomes, including an increased likelihood of achieving biventricular circulation. This review discusses the current indications, techniques, and outcomes of fetal cardiac interventions and provides a glimpse into the future with regard to technical improvements and newer treatment modalities, such as maternal oxygenation and in utero pacemaker implantation.