title: Stenosis of alternative umbilical venous pathways in absence of the ductus venosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated fetuses with absence of the ductus venosus (ADV) and restricted alternative umbilical venous pathways.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified 3 cases that fit our objective. The angles of insonation for spectral Doppler ultrasound interrogation were less than 20 degrees in all cases. We used commercially available ultrasound systems with a curved array transducer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all 3 cases, we noted mild cardiac volume overload without fetal hydrops.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We speculate that the fetus with ADV and a restrictive alternative umbilical venous pathway may have a more benign clinical course than fetuses previously reported with unrestricted alternative pathways.
authors.affiliation: Children's Heart Center Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA. iacherman@aol.com
authors.forename: Ruben J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Acherman
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rollins
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*