Characteristics and Outcomes of Fetal Cardiac Rhabdomyoma With or Without mTOR Inhibitors, a Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate the characteristics and outcomes of fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma with or without prenatal use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi).Search StrategyWe systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until June 2023.Selection CriteriaStudies reporting on pregnancies with fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma were included.Data Collection and AnalysisA meta‐analysis of proportions was conducted only on studies that included three or more cases.ResultsA systematic review included 61 studies reporting on 400 fetuses with cardiac rhabdomyoma, of which 52 studies (389 fetuses) had expectant management and 9 studies (11 fetuses) were managed with mTORi. The meta‐analysis included 26 studies reporting on 354 fetuses. Prenatally, 14% (95% CI 4–36) had pericardial effusion, 13% (95% CI 6–27) had arrhythmia, 16% (95% CI 7–31) had outflow tract obstruction, and 10% (95% CI 4–21) had hydrops. Fetal demise occurred in 12% (95% CI 5–30). Before delivery, tumor size reduction was noted in 13%, and after birth in 58%. Following birth, 8% (95% CI 3–14) had neonatal death and 9% (95% 4–17) required cardiac surgery. 60% (95% CI 41–79) of cases were diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis. Seizures were reported only in cases with a tuberous sclerosis diagnosis (41/71 infants). For the 9 studies reporting all together on 11 fetuses with tuberous sclerosis receiving prenatal mTORi, they showed improvement in the size of cardiac rhabdomyoma as well as outflow obstruction and none had fetal demise or neonatal death, and none required postnatal cardiac surgery.ConclusionsWe report on the natural history of prenatal cardiac rhabdomyoma, including characteristics, progression, and survival. We report 11 fetuses with tuberous sclerosis and cardiac rhabdomyoma receiving prenatal mTORi, showing promising results.