Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: selective feticide by embolization of the hydropic fetus

Fetal Diagn Ther. 1995 Jan-Feb;10(1):26-31. doi: 10.1159/000264188.

Abstract

To improve the outcome of severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome with 1 hydropic fetus and to prevent ischemic sequelae in the survivor, we developed a technique of selective feticide by vascular embolization of the most severely damaged twin. Acute second trimester polyhydramnios occurred in 4 biamniotic monochorial twin pregnancies, with 1 fetus normal on ultrasound but the other severely damaged by hydrops and hypertrophic hypokinetic cardiomyopathy. The hydropic fetus underwent embolization using a bolus of histoacryl injected into the umbilical vein and fetal heart under ultrasound guidance. In 1 triplet pregnancy with a set of monochorial fetuses, premature labor occurred at 26 weeks, 2 weeks after embolization, and there were 2 neonatal deaths. The 3 other cases resulted in the birth of a normal infant at 31-37 weeks of gestation. This suggests that in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome with severe polyhydramnios and hydrops of 1 fetus, embolization may salvage the other twin.

MeSH terms

  • Embolization, Therapeutic*
  • Female
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / diagnosis
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hydrops Fetalis / diagnosis
  • Hydrops Fetalis / therapy*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal / methods*
  • Twins, Monozygotic