[Fetal atrial flutter in complete atrioventricular canal and trisomy 18].
Fetal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias are very rarely associated with congenital heart diseases. Usually a circus movement (= reentry), often associated with a preexcitation, and occasionally an atrial ectopic focus are suggested as the pathophysiologic mechanisms of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. In the reported case - atrial flutter, complete common atrioventricular canal with fetal trisomy 18 - the atrial flutter was probably provoked by the dilatation of the atria due to the regurgitation of both atrioventricular valves. This case indicates the need for a detailed echocardiographic examination (using two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler-echocardiography) in each case of fetal tachyarrhythmias in order to exclude associated cardiac defects, possibly in association with a chromosomal anomaly.
Gembruch
U
U
Abteilung für Pränatale Diagnostik und Therapie, Universitäts-Frauenklinik, Bonn.
Hansmann
M
M
Bald
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000235:genetics*; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000235:genetics; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D006343:Heart Septal Defects / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D014314:Trisomy
Fetales Vorhofflattern bei komplettem atrio-ventrikulären Kanal und Trisomie 18.