Fetal atrial septal aneurysm. Prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography.
OBJECTIVE
To assess prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography in five cases of fetal atrial septal aneurysm.


METHODS
Five cases of fetal atrial septal aneurysm were diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound. Postpartum fetal cardiac echocardiography was performed in three of five infants from the first to the fourth day of life. The medical records of the five cases were reviewed and analyzed after delivery.


RESULTS
Echocardiograms confirmed atrial septal aneurysm in two of the three neonates. One of the two infants was also found to have a patent foramen ovale, and the other infant had patent duct arteriosis in addition to a patent foramen ovale. Two had fetal cardiac arrythmias that resolved after birth.


CONCLUSIONS
Atrial septal aneurysm in fetuses may be a natural transition in spontaneous closure of the associated patent foramen ovale or septal defect. The same phenomenon has been found in children and infants. Due to the uniqueness of the fetal circulation, atrial septal aneurysm may predispose to fetal arrythmias.
Pinette
M G
MG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maine Medical Center, Scarborough 04074, USA.
Pan
Y
Y
Pinette
S G
SG
Blackstone
J
J
Stubblefield
P G
PG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal