Hemodynamic Risk Stratification in Fetuses with Congenital Heart Defects—When Is a Delivery at a Heart Center Advisable?

This article discusses the importance of prenatal diagnosis and hemodynamic risk stratification in fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHD). The study analyzed data from a 10-year period and included 1,210 newborns with CHD. The findings showed that a significant percentage of fetuses delivered at a cardiac center had a prenatal diagnosis that was consistent with the postnatal diagnosis. Emergency intervention was most commonly required in cases with a higher level of care assignment. The study concludes that fetuses with certain CHDs, such as HLHS with RAS or IAS, TGA with RAS or IAS, obstructed TAPVR, severe Ebstein's anomaly, or TOF/APV with hydrops, particularly benefit from delivery at a heart center. [Extracted from the article]