Fetal atrial arrhythmias associated with redundancy/aneurysm of the foramen ovale

J Clin Ultrasound. 1988 Nov-Dec;16(9):643-50. doi: 10.1002/jcu.1870160905.

Abstract

Fetal arrhythmia was investigated in 148 fetuses. Eight of these fetuses displayed signs of redundancy/aneurysm of the foramen ovale, all in combination with various atrial arrhythmias. At presentation 4 (50%) of these fetuses had mild to moderate congestive cardiac failure and a 5th fetus developed mild cardiac failure four weeks after observation of the aneurysm. All fetuses survived, but 2 fetuses required early delivery because of the cardiac failure. Unnecessary morbidity resulting from the possible development of cardiac failure may be prevented by regular monitoring in these cases.

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Heart Aneurysm / complications
  • Heart Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Heart Septum*
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Prenatal Diagnosis*