Successful treatment of supraventricular tachycardia exhibiting hydrops fetalis with flecainide acetate. A case report.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of flecainide acetate for the treatment of fetal supraventricular tachycardia with hydrops fetalis and changes in venous blood flow patterns in the fetus during treatment are reported.


METHODS
Oral flecainide administration was started at 30 weeks of gestation. Cardioversion was achieved 6 days after treatment. Sustained abnormal venous Doppler indices were shown and complete normalization of venous returns was observed 6 days after cardioversion. A vigorous male baby was born, and he is now 1 year of age and in good condition with no medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Reversible cardiac dysfunction was observed even after cardioversion in the fetus with supraventricular tachycardia, which could be assessed precisely by venous Doppler analysis.
Nakata
Masahiko
M
Perinatal Care Center, Yamaguchi University Hospital, Minamikogushi, Ube, Japan. miyabi@po.cc.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
Anno
Kikue
K
Matsumori
Lena Tashima
LT
Fujiwara
Motoki
M
Sumie
Masahiro
M
Sase
Masakatsu
M
Kato
Hiroshi
H
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005424:Flecainide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D005424:Flecainide