Objective: The aim of this study to describe the presentation of double inlet left ventricle (DILV) very early in prenatal life, to assess its prevalence and to portray the associated anomalies.
Methods: This was a retrospective study which included all the women who attended our clinic for early fetal screening sonography, between 2006 and 2020. Most of the screening was done at 14-16 weeks of gestation (except one high risk pregnancy, which was performed at nine gestational weeks), and included an anatomic fetal scan and Doppler imaging. The diagnosis of DILV was done based on sonographic features of abnormal four-chamber view. Complete fetal echocardiography was carried out to rule out additional heart malformations.
Results: Out of 26,805 early prenatal transvaginal ultrasound screening examinations, 14 cases of DILV were diagnosed. The gestational age range of our DILV diagnosis was 9-16 gestational weeks. All pregnancies were terminated as per parental request. In five fetuses, a chromosomal analysis was performed, one had trisomy 21, and the rest fetuses had a normal karyotype. In two fetuses, an autopsy was performed and the diagnosis of DILV was confirmed in both.
Conclusions: Very early prenatal detection of DILV is possible and may have an implication in parent decision regarding their pregnancy future.
Keywords: Prenatal diagnosis; double inlet left ventricle; prenatal outcome; single ventricle; univentricular heart.