THE MANAGEMENT OF ACARDIAC TWINNING-TRAP SEQUENCE: AN INTERNATIONAL SURVEY

Introduction: The optimal approach and therapy method for the acardiac twin with a reverse arterial perfusion sequence has not yet been established. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical practice patterns amongst international fetal therapy units in their management of these cases.Methods: A survey was sent to fetal centers across the world via email between December 2020 and December 2021.Results: Responses were obtained from 77% contacted centers. The most frequent ultrasound variables used in the evaluation of TRAP sequence include echocardiographic assessment of the pump twin and umbilical artery Doppler waveforms in the acardiac and pump twins, in 90% and 80% of the centers respectively. Most centers in Europe and Latin America propose an in-utero intervention in all cases. Most centers in Europe and Latin America prefer interstitial laser ablation, whereas radiofrequency ablation is preferred in North America. The earliest gestational age for an intervention is on mean 13 weeks in Europe, which is earlier than the other geographic areas (p = 0.001).Conclusions: Most centers agreed that antenatal evaluation should include echocardiography along with the UA Doppler waveform measurements, and the most frequently used interventions were interstitial laser ablation or RFA at a median between 14 to 26 weeks.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical practice patterns among international fetal therapy units in managing acardiac twin cases with a reverse arterial perfusion sequence. The survey found that most centers agreed that antenatal evaluation should include echocardiography and umbilical artery Doppler waveform measurements, and the most frequently used interventions were interstitial laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation. The earliest gestational age for intervention was around 13 weeks in Europe, earlier than other geographic areas.