An unusual umbilical venous connection to a left posterior intercostal vein.

A foetal echocardiogram, in a 27-week foetus referred for cardiomegaly, demonstrated dextrocardia, absence of the ductus venosus, and an unrestricted unusual umbilical venous drainage to a left posterior intercostal vein, which continued to left hemiazygos vein and drained into the coronary sinus. Progressive cardiomegaly led to early delivery. To the best of our knowledge, no case with similar umbilical venous drainage has been previously reported.

Vena umbilical drenando directamente a la aurícula derecha: Informe de un caso

RESUMEN La agenesia de ductus venoso es una afección infrecuente asociada con resultados perinatales adversos. Se presenta el caso de un feto con 23,4 semanas estudiado en el servicio de Cardiología Fetal del Cardiocentro Pediátrico William Soler, donde se le realizó estudio ecocardiográfico que demostró la presencia de cardiomegalia con predominio de cavidades derechas en la vista transversal de cuatro cámaras y, al realizar un corte longitudinal del feto, con uso del Doppler color superpuesto a la imagen bidimensional, se definió el recorrido de la vena umbilical drenando directamente en la aurícula derecha. Al recién nacido se le realizó una tomografía y se diagnosticó la presencia de defectos digestivos congénitos. Ante la sospecha de ausencia de ductus venoso resulta importante precisar la variante de drenaje, identificar «microarreglos» y buscar malformaciones estructurales y enfermedades genéticas, ya que el pronóstico dependerá de todos estos factores.

ABSTRACT The ductus venosus agenesis is a rare condition associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. We present the case of a fetus of 23.4 weeks that was studied at the Department of Fetal Cardiology in the Cardiocentro Pediátrico William Soler. The four-chamber cross-sectional view echocardiogram showed cardiomegaly with a predominance of right chambers. After performing a longitudinal section of the fetus by color Doppler superimposed on the two-dimensional image, we could trace the course of the umbilical vein draining directly into the right atrium. The newborn underwent a CT scan and the presence of congenital digestive defects was diagnosed. In the case of suspected absence of ductus venosus it is important to determine the drainage variant, identify "microarrays", and look for structural malformations and genetic diseases since prognosis will depend on all these factors.

Papel do Doppler do ducto venoso na restrição de crescimento intrauterino / Ductus venosus Doppler assessment in intrauterine growth restriction

Objetivo: O crescimento intrauterino restrito (CIUR) por insuficiência placentária persiste como grande desafio obstétrico. A interrupção da gestação representa a única estratégia de condução e baseia-se na predição de desfechos adversos. O Doppler tem valor reconhecido na avaliação seriada das alterações circulatórias nesses fetos, em geral sequenciais e proporcionais à gravidade do insulto hipóxico. Este estudo objetiva revisar as evidências do papel do Doppler de ducto venoso (DV) na predição de morbimortalidade perinatal em gestações complicadas por CIUR placentário grave e precoce. Métodos: Realizou-se revisão narrativa, com busca de artigos publicados nos últimos 10 anos nas bases Medline/PubMed, Lilacs e Scielo, sendo encontradas 132 referências. Pesquisas com animais e gestações múltiplas foram excluídas. Dos 115 artigos selecionados, 34 foram excluídos por inadequação ao tema. A revisão baseou-se nas demais 81 referências, além de trabalhos de reconhecida relevância no tema. Resultados: Estudos demonstram evidência consistente do papel do Doppler de DV na avaliação de fetos com CIUR, com bom valor preditivo para acidemia fetal e desfecho perinatal adverso. As principais estratégias de monitorização se baseiam na combinação do Doppler de vasos arteriais/venosos e parâmetros biofísicos, mas o Doppler de DV seria o melhor parâmetro isolado para predição de comprometimento fetal grave. Conclusão: A incorporação do Doppler de DV na monitorização de fetos com CIUR grave e precoce é capaz de predizer desfechos perinatais críticos. A avaliação de múltiplos vasos fetais parece aumentar a acurácia, porém não há evidência para embasar a definição de protocolos para o manejo clínico.(AU)

Objective: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to early onset placental insufficiency remains to be a great challenge in obstetrical practice. Delivery is still the only available strategy of management, and timing such intervention depends on prediction of adverse outcomes. Dopplervelocimetry studies have recognized value in the evaluation of the sequential hemodynamic changes that are stablished in the arterial and venous circulation of these fetuses, which correlate with the severity of hypoxemic insult. This study aims to review evidence on ductus venosus (DV) Doppler`s role as a predictor of perinatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by severe early onset IUGR. Methods: A Medline/PubMed, Lilacs and Scielo search was performed to identify original articles and systematic reviews published in the last 10 years. Eighty-one references were included in this review, in addition to other papers of recognized relevance in the subject. Results: Studies demonstrate consistent evidence on DV Doppler`s role in the longitudinal evaluation of IUGR fetuses, with adequate predictive value for fetal acidemia and adverse outcome. Monitoring strategies are usually based on a combination of arterial and venous Doppler assessment, in addition to biophysical parameters, but DV Doppler seems to be the best single parameter for prediction of severe fetal compromise. Conclusion: Monitoring of fetuses with severe early-onset IUGR through DV Doppler is able to predict critical perinatal outcomes. Evaluation of multiple fetal vessels seems to increase accuracy of prediction, but to this moment there is not enough evidence to recommend protocols of management.(AU)

Risk of fetal death in growth-restricted fetuses with umbilical and/or ductus venosus absent or reversed end-diastolic velocities before 34 weeks of gestation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to establish the risk of fetal death in early-onset growth-restricted fetuses with absent or reversed end-diastolic velocities in the umbilical artery or ductus venosus. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was performed to identify relevant studies published in English, Spanish, French, Italian, or German using the databases PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and SCOPUS, without publication time restrictions. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The study criteria included observational cohort studies and randomized controlled trials of early-onset growth-restricted fetuses (diagnosed before 34 weeks of gestation), with information on the rate of fetal death occurring before 34 weeks of gestation and absent or reversed end-diastolic velocities in the umbilical artery and/or ductus venosus. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: For quality assessment, 2 reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for randomized trials. For the meta-analysis, odds ratio for both fixed and random-effects models (weighting by inverse of variance) were used. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using tau2, χ2 (Cochrane Q), and I2 statistics. Publication bias was assessed by a funnel plot for meta-analyses and quantified by the Egger method. RESULTS: A total of 31 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The odds ratios for fetal death (random-effects models) were 3.59 (95% confidence interval, 2.3-5.6), 7.27 (95% confidence interval, 4.6-11.4), and 11.6 (95% confidence interval, 6.3-19.7) for growth-restricted fetuses with umbilical artery absent end-diastolic velocities, umbilical artery reversed end-diastolic velocities, and ductus venosus absent or reversed end-diastolic velocities, respectively. There was no substantial heterogeneity among studies for any of the analyses. CONCLUSION: Early-onset growth-restricted fetuses with either umbilical artery or ductus venosus absent or reserved end-diastolic velocities are at a substantially increased risk for fetal death.

Agenesia del ductus venoso: dos casos clínicos tipo / Ductus venosus agenesis: two tipical clinical cases

La agenesia del ductus venoso (ADV) no es infrecuente. Tiene dos manifestaciones clínicas que presentan diferentes pronósticos. En la ausencia del ductus venoso, el flujo venoso empleará caminos alternativos. Hay dos posibilidades. En una de ellas habrá un shunt extrahepático, y se caracterizará por sobrecarga de volumen sistémico y tendencia a la insuficiencia cardiaca y en otra habrá un shunt intrahepático, con drenaje al seno portal, que presenta mejor pronóstico. Es necesario descartar anomalías estructurales asociadas y cromosopatías, ya que de ello depende el pronóstico. Especialmente importante es analizar el sistema venoso biliar. Presentamos dos casos clínicos con cada una de estas variantes, ninguna de la cuales tuvo asociación a cromosopatías.

The ductus venosus agnesis is not infrequent. It has two forms of presentation, each with different prognosis each. In the absence of the ductus venosus, the flow needs to find new pathways. There are two options. The first is by an extrahepatic shunt or portosystemic bypass, and the other by an intrahepatic shunt that drains to the portal system. The last one has a better prognosis. In both cases, It is especially important to look for associated structural and chromosomal anomalies, as to determine prognosis. It is especially important is to explore the biliary venous system. In this article, we present two clinical cases, with each one of the variants, without association to chromosomal diseases.

Rol de los marcadores ecográficos secundarios de primer trimestre para la detección de trisomía 21 / Role of first trimester secondary ultrasound markers for trisomy 21 detection

OBJETIVO: Analizar los resultados de los marcadores ecográficos secundarios (hueso nasal, onda a del ductus venoso y regurgitación tricuspídea) y valorar su efectividad para la detección de trisomía 21 y su utilidad para la reducción del número de pruebas invasivas. MÉTODOS: Tras la realización del test combinado de primer trimestre a toda paciente con un riesgo entre 1/101-1/1000 se realizó la valoración de los marcadores secundarios. RESULTADOS: Desde Enero de 2014 a Mayo de 2015 se realizaron 2.660 test combinados del primer trimestre valorándose la edad materna, la traslucencia nucal y la PAPP-A y ßhCG, teniendo una sensibilidad del 90% y una tasa de falsos positivos del 3,2%. Hubo 10 fetos con trisomía 21. La sensibilidad de hueso nasal, ductus venoso y regurgitación tricuspídea fue del 22,2%, 50% y 50% y la especificidad del 99,8%, 96,9% y 98,8% respectivamente. La sensibilidad global del test contingente fue del 90%, con una reducción de la tasa de falsos positivos al 1,6%, lo que se reduciría de 171 a 148 el número de amniocentesis. CONCLUSIÓN: El test contingente es una buena herramienta para reducir la tasa de falsos positivos respecto al test combinado sin disminuir la tasa de detección y con ello reducir la tasa de pruebas invasivas.

AIMS: To analyze the results of the secondary sonographic markers (nasal bone, wave ductus venosus and tricuspid regurgitation) and evaluate its effectiveness for the detection of trisomy 21 and thus reduce the number of invasive tests. METHODS: After completing the first trimester combined test, all patients with a risk between 1/101-1/1000 were evaluated the secondary sonographic markers. RESULTS: From January 2014 to May 2015 2660 combined test being assessed maternal age, nuchal translucency and PAPP-A and ßhCG were performed, with a sensitivity of 90% and a false positive rate of 3.2%. 10 fetuses with trisomy 21 were observed. The sensitivity of nasal bone, ductus venosus and tricuspid regurgitation was 22.2%, 50% and 50% and specificity was 99.8%, 96.9% and 98.8% respectively. The overall sensitivity of contingent test was 90%, with a reduction in false positive rate to 1.6%, which would decrease the number of amniocentesis from 171 to 148. CONCLUSION: The contingent test is a good tool to reduce the rate of false positives with respect to the combined test without decreasing the detection rate and thereby reduce the rate of invasive testing.

Reference range for the pulsatility index ductus venosus Doppler measurement between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population.

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference range for the pulsatility index (PI) ductus venosus (DV) Doppler measurement between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed with 430 singleton pregnancies. The PI DV Doppler measurement was performed as routine during the first trimester screening. DV was identified by color Doppler and the pulsed Doppler gate was placed in the distal portion of the umbilical sinus. When at least three typical DV waveforms were obtained, PI DV was measured manually in one waveform. Polynomial regression was used to obtain the best fit using PI DV Doppler measurement and crown-rump length (CRL) with adjustments by the determination coefficient (R(2)). 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles for the PI DV Doppler measurements at each gestational were determined. RESULTS: The mean of PI DV Doppler measurement was 1.1 ± 0.2 (range 0.8-3.7). The linear regression was the best fit: PI DV measurement = 1.288-0.0034*CRL (R(2 )= 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Reference range for the PI DV Doppler measurement between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population was established.

Diagnóstico prenatal y evolución en fetos con agenesia de ductus venoso / Prenatal diagnosis and evolution in fetuses with ductus venosus agenesis

Antecedentes: El ductus venoso es una derivación vascular (shunt) presente en el feto que permite el paso de sangre oxigenada de la vena umbilical (VU) hacia la circulación coronaria y cerebral. Su agenesia se asocia con defectos cromosómicos, síndromes genéticos, defectos estructurales y complicaciones prenatales como crecimiento intrauterino retardado y muerte fetal. Resultados: Se analizaron 15 agenesias de ductus venoso (ADV) en gestaciones únicas entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2013. El 80 por ciento de ellas fueron diagnosticadas en la exploración rutinaria de la semana 12. Se realizó estudio de cariotipo en el 53 por ciento de los casos (8/15), bien por riesgo alto de cromosomopatía en el cribado combinado y/o translucencia nucal aumentada (75 por ciento) o malformaciones asociadas (25 por ciento). Sólo hubo un diagnóstico de trisomía 21 y postnatalmente de una microdelección del cromosoma 7. Realizaron interrupción legal del embarazo un total de 4 pacientes (por trisomía 21 o por alteraciones estructurales). Entre las 11 gestaciones restantes un 27 por ciento se diagnosticó RCIU, hubo una muerte neonatal a las 12 horas de vida por síndrome de aspiración meconial e hipertensión pulmonar. En un 60 por ciento se objetivó la presencia de un drenaje umbilicohepático y entre los 6 restantes con shunt portosistémico, 4 tenían conexión entre la VU y la VCI. Conclusión: La ADV es una anomalía infrecuente del sistema venoso fetal, de difícil diagnóstico y con mal pronóstico en aquellos casos en que se asocia con otros marcadores y/o anomalías estructurales que pueden aparecer tardíamente, por lo que debe realizarse un seguimiento adecuado.

Background: The ductus venosus (DV) is a unique shunt that allows direct passage of oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein (UV) to the coronary and cerebral circulation by a preferential passage through the foramen ovale. DV agenesis (DVA) is associated with chromosomal abnormalities, genetic syndromes, structural defects and prenatal complications such as intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) or even stillbirth. Results: We report 15 cases of DVA in singleton pregnancies between January 2010 and December 2013. 80 percent of them were diagnosed on routine examination during the 11-14 weeks scan. Karyotyping was performed in 53 percent of cases (8/15) by high risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the first trimester combined screening and/or an increased nuchal translucency thickness in 6/8 (75 percent), or associated malformations 2/8 (25 percent). There was only one fetus diagnosed of trisomy 21 by amniocentesis and another fetus was postnatally diagnosed of a microdeletion of chromosome 7. 4 patients performed legal abortions (the trisomy 21 and in 3 cases for severe structural malformations). Among the remaining 11 pregnancies, 3 (27 percent) were diagnosed with IUGR and there was a neonatal death at 12 hours of life for meconium aspiration syndrome and pulmonary hypertension. 60 percent of the fetus presented an intrahepatic drainage and among the remaining 6 with portosystemic shunt, in 4 a connection between the UV and the inferior vena cava was observed. Conclusion: DVA is a rare anomaly of the fetal venous system, difficult diagnosis and poor prognosis in cases associated with other markers and/or structural abnormalities that may even appear late. A detailed survey of fetal anatomy and follow up of these fetuses is necessary.

Cord blood B-type natriuretic peptide levels in placental insufficiency: correlation with fetal Doppler and pH at birth.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation of cardiac B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations in umbilical cord blood at birth with fetal Doppler parameters and pH at birth. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study with the following inclusion criteria: women with a singleton pregnancy, placental insufficiency characterized by increased pulsatility index (PI) of the umbilical artery (UA), intact membranes, and absence of fetal abnormalities. The exclusion criteria kept out cases of newborns with postnatal diagnosis of abnormality and cases in which the blood analysis was not performed. The Doppler parameters used were the UA PI, middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI, cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), and ductus venosus (DV) PI for veins (PIV), all converted into zeta scores. Blood samples were obtained from the umbilical cord immediately after delivery to measure the pH of the UA and the BNP. RESULTS: Thirty-two pregnancies with placental insufficiency were included, 21 (65%) with positive diastolic flow and 11 (35%) with absent or reversed end diastolic flow in the UA. The concentration of BNP correlated significantly with the UA PI z-score (rho=0.43, P=0.016), the CPR z-score (rho=-0.35, P=0.048), the DV PIV z-score (rho=0.61, P<0.001), pH at birth (rho=-0.39, P=0.031), and gestational age (rho=-0.51, P=0.003). In the multiple regression analysis, antenatal parameters were included; the DV PIV z-score (P=0.008) was found to be an independent parameter correlating with BNP at birth. Correlation between BNP and the DV PIV z-score was borne out by the regression equation Log[BNP]=2.34+0.13*DV (F=18.8, P<0.001). Correlation between BNP and pH at birth was confirmed by the regression equation Log[BNP]=21.36-2.62*pH (F=7.69, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that fetal cardiac dysfunction identified by BNP concentrations at birth correlated independently with changes in DV PIV and correlated negatively with pH values at birth.

Doppler velocimetry of ductus venous in preterm fetuses with brain sparing effect: neonatal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the relationship between ductus venous (DV) and Doppler velocimetry in neonatal outcome in severe compromised preterm fetuses. METHODS: the study was designed as an observational and cross-sectional study with 52 premature neonates with brain sparing effect. The criteria of neonatal severe morbidity were: severe intraventricular hemorrhage (grades 3 or 4), retinopathy of prematurity (grade 3 or 4), cystic periventricular leukomalatia, bronchopneumo dysplasia and neonatal mortality. The fetuses were divided in two groups: group 0 - all the fetuses with ventricular systole/atrial contraction (S/A) in DV ratio values less them 3.4; group 1 - fetuses with values of S/A ratio greater than 3.4. RESULTS: 42% of fetuses showed abnormal S/A ratio in DV and 48% showed birth weight below percentile 3 for gestational age. There was no statistical significance comparing the 02 groups according to bronchopneumo dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity (grade 3 or 4) and intraventricular hemorrhage (grade 3 or 4). Only one fetus presented cystic periventricular leukomalatia. We found statistically significant association between abnormal DV S/A ratio and neonatal mortality (CI 95%, 1.28 -38.22, p< 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: our results suggest that abnormal DV blood flow detected by Doppler examination isn't associated with severe neonatal morbidity but with neonatal mortality.

Marcadores ecográficos de cromosomopatías en el I trimestre de la gestación: ductus venoso / Ultrasound markers of chromosomal defects in the first trimester of pregnancy: ductus venosus

La evaluación Doppler del flujo en el ductus venoso en el primer trimestre ha venido a contribuir con información clínica relevante en las orientaciones a los padres. No sólo se mostró eficaz en el rastreo de anomalías cromosómicas, como la trisomía 21, disminuyendo la tasa de procedimientos invasivos, sino también en el rastreo de cardiopatías congénitas, redefiniendo el grupo de alto riesgo a ser sometido a ecocardiografía precoz. Por su parte, un flujo anormal en el ductus venoso asociado a la translucencia nucal aumentada en uno o en ambos fetos de un embarazo monocoriónico parece una combinación sensible para rastrear precozmente el síndrome de transfusión feto fetal. En todas estas situaciones, el ductus venoso se muestra un marcador eficaz de insuficiencia/disfunción cardíaca.

Doppler evaluation of the flow in the ductus venosus in the first trimester of pregnancy has contributed with clinical information relevant for parents counselling. Not only was effective in tracking chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 21, decreasing the rate of invasive procedures, but also in tracking congenital heart disease, redefining the high risk group to be subjected to early echocardiography. Also, an abnormal flow in the ductus venous linked to the nuchal translucency increased in one or both fetuses of a monochorionic pregnancy seem a sensitive combination to early trace the feto-fetal transfusion syndrome. In all these situations, the ductus venous shows to be an effective marker of cardiac dysfunction or insufficiency.

Estudo da translucência nucal, ducto venoso, osso nasal e idade materna na detecção de cromossomopatia fetal em uma população de alto risco / Study of nuchal translucency, ductus venosus, nasal bone and maternal age for detection of fetal chromosomal disorders in a high-risk population", "_i": "en

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a translucência nucal, o ducto venoso, o osso nasal e a idade materna > 35 anos como testes de rastreamento para aneuploidias entre 12 e 14 semanas de gestação em pacientes de alto risco. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo observacional envolvendo 92 gestantes entre 12 e 14 semanas submetidas a biópsia de vilo corial por alto risco de trissomia, baseado na medida da translucência nucal (17,4 por cento) e idade materna >35 anos (78,3 por cento). Antes da biópsia de vilo corial, realizaram-se medida da translucência nucal, avaliação de fluxo no ducto venoso e identificação do osso nasal. Calcularam-se a sensibilidade, a especificidade, o valor preditivo positivo e o valor preditivo negativo para testes realizados em paralelo e em seqüência. RESULTADOS: Encontrou-se alteração cromossômica em 12 (13,5 por cento) fetos; 7 (58,3 por cento) apresentavam trissomia 21. Osso nasal foi identificado em todos os fetos com trissomia. Translucência nucal, ducto venoso e idade materna isolados mostraram baixa sensibilidade (41,67-58,33 por cento) e baixo valor preditivo positivo (10-45,45 por cento). A associação translucência nucal + ducto venoso + idade materna apresentou o melhor resultado (sensibilidade: 100 por cento; especificidade: 6,49 por cento; valor preditivo positivo: 14,29 por cento; valor preditivo negayivo: 100 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Em gestantes com idade > 35 anos, a associação translucência nucal + ducto venoso mostra-se como a mais sensível para a indicação de procedimento invasivo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fetal nuchal translucency, ductus venosus, nasal bone and maternal age > 35 years by means of aneuploidy screening between the 12th and 14th gestational weeks in a high-risk population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, observational study involving 92 pregnant women at 12-14 gestational weeks, who were submitted to chorionic villus sampling because of high risk for trisomy 21 based on the measurement of nuchal translucency thickness (17.4 percent) or on maternal age > 35 years (78.3 percent). Before the chorionic villus sampling, fetal nuchal translucency thickness was measured, ductus venosus flow was evaluated and the nasal bone was identified. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for tests in parallel and in sequence. RESULTS: Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 12 fetuses (13.5 percent); 7 (58.3 percent) were positive for trisomy 21. The nasal bone was present in all cases with chromosomal abnormalities. Isolated nuchal translucency, ductus venosus or maternal age showed low sensitivity (41.67-58.33 percent) and low positive predictive value (10-45.45 percent). Combined nuchal translucency + ductus venosus + maternal age showed the best results (100 percent sensitivity; 6.49 percent specificity; 14.29 percent positive predictive value; 100 percent negative predictive value). CONCLUSION: In pregnant women with >35 years of age, combined nuchal translucency + ductus venosus have showed the highest sensitivity as an indication for invasive procedure.