Journal List > Korean J Obstet Gynecol > v.53(5) > 1006419

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Jang, Moon, Park, Ahn, Jung, Lee, and Kim: A case of acardiac twin pregnancy with fetus survival after successful radiofrequency ablation of umbilical cord
Case Report
Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2010; 53(5): 449-454.

Published online: 31 May 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5468/kjog.2010.53.5.449

A case of acardiac twin pregnancy with fetus survival after successful radiofrequency ablation of umbilical cord

Ji hyon Jang, M.D., Myoung Jin Moon, M.D., Hea Ree Park, M.D., Eun Hee Ahn, M.D., Sang Hee Jung, M.D., Yu mi Lee, M.D., Eun A Kim, M.D.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA University, Bundang Cha Women's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding author (mmj33@hanmail.net)

Received 1 April 2010       Accepted 26 April 2010

Copyright © 2010 Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

Acardiac twin is a rare anomaly that occurs 1% in monochorionic twins and 1 in 35,000 pregnancies overall. Acardiac twin, also known as twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence, involves a "pump" or donor twin perfusing a recipient or "acardiac" twin through vascular (usually arterial-arterial and venous-venous) anastomoses. Perinatal mortality rate for the pump twin has been reported to be 50~75%, mainly as a result of polyhydramnios, preterm labor, and congestive heart failure. Therefore, occlusion of the circulation to the acardiac twin has been recommended to improve perinatal outcome of the pump twin. Radiofrequency ablation of the acardiac twin effectively protects the pump twin from high-output cardiac failure and death. We report our experience in the treatment of patients with TRAP sequence using radio frequency ablation to stop perfusion to the acardiac twin.

Keywords: Radiofrequency ablation, Monochorionic twin, Twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP), Acardiac twin

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
(A) cord insertion site: doppler ultrasound image of cord insertion site at the anterior abdominal wall of the acardiac fetus. (B) the tissue effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA): transabdominal intraoperative ultrasound image reveals the RFA device, deployed within the abdomen of the acardiac fetus, and the echogenic material, which represents the tissue effects of RFA.
kjog-53-449-g001
Fig. 2
The acardiac twin and monochorionic diamniotic placenta. It shows the umbilical cord of the acardiac twin contains two vessels, one vein and one artery.
kjog-53-449-g002

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