The Connection Between Anatomical Substrate and Clinical Severity in Fetal Ebstein Anomaly

Pediatr Dev Pathol. 2024 Nov-Dec;27(6):587-591. doi: 10.1177/10935266241250235. Epub 2024 May 19.

Abstract

Ebstein anomaly (EA) is a rare congenital heart defect characterized by abnormal development of the tricuspid valve (TV) and right ventricular myocardium. This study documents 2 dramatic cases of fetal EA characterized by hydrops and cardiomegaly, leading to intrauterine or early neonatal death. These clinical outcomes were associated with morphological abnormalities including severe tricuspid regurgitation, unguarded TV orifice, pulmonary atresia, and flattened right ventricular myocardium. This study highlights that these adverse anatomical features may result in unfavorable clinical outcomes in fetal EA. While timely identification of such features by prenatal ultrasound is crucial for providing accurate prognostic stratification and guiding treatment decisions, fetopsy may be necessary to discern EA among the spectrum of right-heart anomalies.

Keywords: Ebstein anomaly; cardiomegaly; hydrops; pulmonary atresia; stillbirth; unguarded TV orifice.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Ebstein Anomaly* / diagnosis
  • Ebstein Anomaly* / diagnostic imaging
  • Ebstein Anomaly* / pathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrops Fetalis / diagnosis
  • Hydrops Fetalis / diagnostic imaging
  • Hydrops Fetalis / etiology
  • Hydrops Fetalis / pathology
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tricuspid Valve / abnormalities
  • Tricuspid Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Tricuspid Valve / pathology
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal