title: Fetal bradycardia in the first trimester: an unusual presentation of atrial extrasystoles.
abstract: We report a fetus with fetal bradycardia at 13 weeks of gestation secondary to atrial extrasystoles. The fetus subsequently developed paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and hydrops fetalis. The cardiac arrhythmia recovered spontaneously without any medical intervention. This case illustrates that atrial ectopic beats can present in the first trimester with fetal bradycardia. Rapidly evolving hydrops fetalis secondary to supraventricular tachycardia can develop, warranting close monitoring with weekly heart rate assessment. Fetal bradycardia secondary to atrial extrasystole should be differentiated from first trimester sinus bradycardia and those associated with major structural cardiac abnormality, which have a high fetal loss rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong. shellwong@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018880:Atrial Premature Complexes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal