Pulmonary atresia or critical pulmonary stenosis with intact interventricular septum diagnosed in utero: echocardiographic findings and post-natal outcome.
BACKGROUND
Survival of neonates with critical pulmonary obstruction depends on cardiac morphology and function but also on proper perinatal management.


METHODS
Postnatal outcome of five neonates with critical pulmonary stenosis or pulmonary atresia detected in utero is reported.


RESULTS
Right ventricular morphology and ratio between tricuspid and mitral annulus at Fetal Echocardiography were the most important prognostic parameters. Increasing severity of obstruction and of right ventricular hypoplasia was documented in two fetuses.


CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal diagnosis was useful for planning delivery; we hypothesize that it can be of benefit on postnatal outcome. In selected cases, earlier delivery and relief of obstruction could have beneficial effect on prognosis.
Favilli
S
S
U.O. Cardiologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliera A. Meyer, Firenze. silviafavilli@virgilio.it
Giusti
S
S
Vangi
V
V
Pollini
I
I
Redaelli
S
S
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D018633:Pulmonary Atresia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011666:Pulmonary Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal