Elijah H Bolin1, R Thomas Collins2, Thomas H Best3, Dala Zakaria3, Sean M Lang4, Matthew G Boushka5, Markus S Renno3, Lori L Heil3, Curtis L Lowery6, Renee A Bornemeier3. 1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA. ehbolin@uams.edu. 2. Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA. 3. Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA. 4. Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA. 5. Department of Anesthesia, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA. 6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We sought to describe the implementation and effectiveness of a statewide fetal tele-echocardiography program serving a resource-limited population. STUDY DESIGN: In 2009, our heart center established six satellite clinics for fetal tele-echocardiography around the state. We retrospectively reviewed all fetal tele-echocardiograms performed through 2018. Yearly statewide prenatal detection rates of operable congenital heart disease were queried from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. RESULT: In 1164 fetuses, fetal tele-echocardiography identified all types of congenital heart disease, with a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 97%. For the detection of ductal-dependent congenital heart disease, fetal tele-echocardiography was 100% sensitive and specific. Between 2009 and 2018, annual statewide prenatal detection rates of congenital heart disease requiring heart surgery in the first 6 months of life rose by 159% (17-44%; R2 = 0.88, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides a framework for an effective, large-scale fetal tele-echocardiography program.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to describe the implementation and effectiveness of a statewide fetal tele-echocardiography program serving a resource-limited population. STUDY DESIGN: In 2009, our heart center established six satellite clinics for fetal tele-echocardiography around the state. We retrospectively reviewed all fetal tele-echocardiograms performed through 2018. Yearly statewide prenatal detection rates of operable congenital heart disease were queried from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. RESULT: In 1164 fetuses, fetal tele-echocardiography identified all types of congenital heart disease, with a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 97%. For the detection of ductal-dependent congenital heart disease, fetal tele-echocardiography was 100% sensitive and specific. Between 2009 and 2018, annual statewide prenatal detection rates of congenital heart disease requiring heart surgery in the first 6 months of life rose by 159% (17-44%; R2 = 0.88, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides a framework for an effective, large-scale fetal tele-echocardiography program.
Authors: Brian A McCrossan; Andrew J Sands; Theresa Kileen; Nicola N Doherty; Frank A Casey Journal: Prenat Diagn Date: 2012-06-21 Impact factor: 3.050