title: [Combination therapy for fetal supraventricular tachycardia with flecainide and digoxin].
abstract: Persistent fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with more than 210 bpm frequently leads to congestive heart failure. We report on a case with SVT and congestive heart failure that converted into sinus rhythm within 19 days of therapy with flecainide and beta-acetyldigoxin. A 32-year-old II gravida I para (25 + 1 weeks of gestation) presented with fetal SVT of 267 bpm. A non-immunologic hydrops fetalis was diagnosed by ultrasound showing ascites, pleural and pericardial effusion and tricuspid regurgitation. Within 19 days of combination therapy with flecainide and digoxin, cardioversion was achieved. After 36 days of therapy no more signs of cardiac failure could be detected. A healthy boy was born at 38 + 6 weeks of gestation. Although cardioversion is expected after 72 h of therapy according to the literature, this fetus converted into sinus rhythm on day 19 of therapy. This indicates that patients should not be considered resistant to treatment within the first 3 - 4 days.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Geburtshilfe und Perinatalmedizin, Philipps Universität Marburg.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Anderer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hellmeyer
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tekesin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000196:embryology*; D005424:Flecainide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000196:embryology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004077:Digoxin; D005424:Flecainide