title: Guidelines for the evaluation of heart failure in the fetus with or without hydrops.
abstract: Fetal echocardiography has progressed to be able to diagnose many forms of congenital heart disease and to assess the prognosis of cardiac lesions based on their anatomy and presentation in utero. However, the presence of signs of fetal heart failure, such as hydrops or valvular regurgitation, makes the assessment of prognosis difficult. This article outlines a straightforward method for the rapid evaluation of the fetus who may have congestive heart failure. The differentiation of the prehydropic state from normal is illustrated.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, 140 7th Ave. South, Children's Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Huhta
mesh_terms: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004077:Digoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004077:Digoxin