Aggressive direct treatment of a fetus with supraventricular tachycardia and hydrops fetalis

P. Jouppila, L. Mäkäräinen, J. Räsänen, M. Valkama, T. Paavilainen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report a case, in which direct fetal therapy by amiodarone injected into the umbilical vein during the last trimester of pregnancy was used for the treatment of fetal supraventricular tachyarrhythmia in the presence of severe hydrops fetalis. Eight injections were needed due to the recurrence of supraventricular tachycardia 1–9 days after the initial normalization of fetal tachycardia after each puncture. A severe fetal hydrops was maintained despite the achievement of sinus rhythm, and thus two ascites draining procedures were performed during the last 3 days before delivery to expand the fetal lungs. A normorhythmic hydropic baby was born by Cesarean section at 34 weeks + 6 days. Only mild respiratory difficulties occurred after birth. Her electrocardiogram suggests a Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome but the overall recovery has been uneventful.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)279-283
Number of pages5
JournalUltrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume3
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 1993
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • amiodarone
  • arrhythmia
  • fetus
  • heart
  • hydrops fetalis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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