title: Fetal supraventricular tachycardia, treating the baby by targeting the mother.
abstract: Fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common form of fetal tachycardia. If started early in pregnancy, it can cause non-immune fetal hydrops. Echocardiography is the preferred method for the diagnosis with simultaneous pulsed Doppler recording from the superior vena cava and ascending aorta. Transplacental therapy with digoxin is the most common way of treatment. We present a case of fetal SVT detected at 26 weeks of pregnancy. Digoxin therapy restored the rhythm initially, but later paroxysms of fetal SVT persisted necessitating the addition of second antiarrhythmic medication which was discussed with the parents. The couple chose to proceed for premature delivery at 32 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine Cardiology Unit, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain.
authors.forename: Aysha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: Zakariya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hubail
authors.forename: Rashed
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Al Banna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015148:Cardiotocography; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004077:Digoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D004077:Digoxin