Management of fetal tachyarrhythmia based on superior vena cava/aorta Doppler flow recordings.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a management protocol of fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) based on prior identification of the underlying mechanism.


METHODS
Prospective study in a mother-child tertiary university centre.


METHODS
During a consecutive 36 month period, 18 fetuses with sustained SVT underwent a superior vena cava/ascending aorta (SVC/AA) Doppler investigation in an attempt to determine the atrioventricular (AV) relation and to treat the arrhythmia according to a pre-established management protocol.


METHODS
Rate of conversion to sinus rhythm.


RESULTS
Seven fetuses had short ventriculoatrial tachycardia, five of these with a 1:1 AV conduction suggesting re-entrant tachycardia. The first choice drug was digoxin and all were converted. One fetus had AV dissociation leading to the diagnosis of junctional ectopic tachycardia, which was resistant to digoxin and sotalol; amiodarone achieved postnatal conversion. One fetus had SVT and first or second AV block; the diagnosis was atrial ectopic tachycardia (AET), which responded to sotalol given as a drug of first choice. Seven fetuses had long ventriculoatrial tachycardia: one with sinus tachycardia (no treatment), one with permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT), and three with AET. The first choice drug was sotalol and all were converted. One AET was classified postnatally as PJRT. Six fetuses had intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia: five with 2:1 AV conduction and one with variable block. The first choice drug was digoxin. Conversion was achieved in all but one, who died after birth from advanced cardiomyopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
The electrophysiological mechanisms of fetal SVT can be clarified with SVC/AA Doppler. The proposed management protocol has so far yielded a good rate of conversion to sinus rhythm.
Fouron
J-C
JC
Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. fouron@sympatico.ca
Fournier
A
A
Proulx
F
F
Lamarche
J
J
Bigras
J L
JL
Boutin
C
C
Brassard
M
M
Gamache
S
S
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents