Changes in lung tissue perfusion in the prediction of survival in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia treated with fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion.

Objective: To assess the impact of lung perfusion by fractional moving blood volume (FMBV) for the prediction of survival in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) treated with fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO).

Study Design: Lung perfusion by FMBV (%) and the observed/expected lung-to-head ratio (o/e LHR) were evaluated 1 day before and 7-14 days after FETO in a cohort of 62 CDH fetuses, and their isolated and combined values to predict survival was assessed.

Results: Preoperative lung perfusion did not show association with survival. However, after FETO, an increase in 30% of the preoperative lung FMBV and an increase in 50% of the LHR was significantly associated with the probability of survival. A model combining the changes in FMBV and o/e LHR after therapy allowed discrimination of cases with poor (10% survival), moderate (40-70% survival) and very good prognosis (100% survival).

Conclusion: Changes in lung tissue perfusion, evaluated by FMBV after FETO, improved the prediction of survival in fetuses with CDH.