Aneurysms of the fetal heart.
Aneurysmatic bulgings of either ventricular/atrial structures or outflow tract vessels such as the ductus arteriosus are rare prenatal conditions. Prenatal diagnosis is confirmed by detailed echocardiographic examination of the fetal heart. The majority of these congenital abnormalities are probably related to developmental disorders. Most of the affected fetuses display an asymptomatic course antenatally and postnatally. Associated anomalies include additional cardiac and extracardiac malformations with potential impact on normal development in fetal and neonatal life as well as early childhood. Treatment considerations have to be individually specified and depend on the presence and severity of clinical issues.
Weichert
J
J
Ob/Gyn, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Germany.
Axt-Fliedner
R
R
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*