Doppler echocardiography in the diagnosis and management of persistent fetal arrhythmias. J Am Coll Cardiol 1986 Jun;7(6):1386-91
Date
06/01/1986Pubmed ID
3711496DOI
10.1016/s0735-1097(86)80161-9Abstract
Thirteen fetuses with persistent arrhythmias underwent combined noninvasive echocardiographic evaluation utilizing M-mode, two-dimensional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography. This group (Group A) was compared with 14 fetuses in which only two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic evaluations were performed (Group B). In both groups correct prenatal interpretation of the arrhythmia was confirmed by postnatal electrocardiograms in all surviving fetuses. Although Doppler echocardiography was not more sensitive than M-mode echocardiography in the interpretations of the arrhythmia, Doppler tracings of sufficient quality to analyze rate and rhythm were easier to obtain in all cases and provided additional information about valvular incompetence and the functional state of the fetal heart. Cardiac malformations and hydrops fetalis were commonly associated with persistent arrhythmias. Congenital heart disease occurred frequently (6 of 11) with complete atrioventricular (AV) block. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography defined the AV contraction sequence, atrial and ventricular rates and AV valve insufficiency, allowing rapid interpretation of fetal arrhythmias.
Author List
Strasburger JF, Huhta JC, Carpenter RJ Jr, Garson A Jr, McNamara DGAuthor
Janette F. Strasburger MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Arrhythmias, CardiacEchocardiography
Female
Fetal Diseases
Humans
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
Prenatal Diagnosis
