Feasibility of fetal left modified myocardial performance index in twin anemia polycythemia sequence and perinatal outcomes after antenatal intervention

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and clinical value of fetal left modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) in assessment and management of prenatal twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed fetuses with TAPS diagnosed prenatally between 2015 and 2019 at Asan Medical Center. Doppler ultrasound evaluation including the peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and fetal echocardiography including left Mod-MPI were evaluated and followed up after antenatal management.

Results

Among 10 cases of fetal twin pregnancies with prenatal TAPS, six were spontaneous and four were post-laser TAPS. Left Mod-MPI was abnormal in one or both twins of nine cases (90%) including all post-laser TAPS (n = 4) and 83.3% of spontaneous TAPS (n = 5). Three recipients, one donor and three former recipients/new donors had elevated left Mod-MPI values, and one donor, one recipient, two former donors/new recipients had decreased values. Antenatal intervention was performed in eight cases with intrauterine transfusion (n = 4), fetoscopic laser surgery (n = 2), radiofrequency ablation (n = 1), and intrauterine transfusion followed by radiofrequency ablation (n = 1). The remaining two cases were either delivered or managed expectantly. MCA-PSV and left Mod-MPI became normal on the follow-up scans in all cases except the delivered case. There were four fetal deaths: two occurred spontaneously and two were selectively terminated by radiofrequency ablation. Overall perinatal survival per fetus was 80% (16/20) and the median gestational age at delivery was 34.4 (range, 29.2–37.4) weeks. Neither postnatal death nor neurodevelopmental delay occurred during a median follow-up of 13 months (range, 0.25–60 months).

Conclusion

Fetal left Mod-MPI was useful for assessment of compromised fetal cardiac function in cases with prenatal TAPS. Application of fetal left Mod-MPI in prenatal staging of TAPS might help evaluate the severity of TAPS and decide timely antenatal intervention.

Keywords:

• Doppler ultrasound
• myocardial performance index
• monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy
• twin anemia-polycythemia sequence
• twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).