title: Isolated persistent fetal bradycardia in complete A-V block: a conservative approach is appropriate. A case report and a review of the literature.
abstract: Persistent fetal bradycardia is rarely encountered during pregnancy. When it is associated with a complete atrio-ventricular (A-V) block, it may prove dangerous to the fetus or newborn. The prenatal diagnosis is vital because it necessitates close follow-up during pregnancy to detect fetal compromise and proper preparation for delivery. We describe a woman who was found to be suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus during pregnancy. The fetus was diagnosed as having persistent fetal bradycardia due to complete A-V block at 28 weeks of gestation and was delivered at term with conservative management. The problems entailed in managing pregnancy and delivery of such fetuses are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rabinerson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lurie
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Peled
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005865:Gestational Age; D006327:Heart Block / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal