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Diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders in the fetus

Publication |
2017

Abstract

The development of fetal echocardiography enables intrauterine diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias. The most common types of severe fetal arrhythmias are supraventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrioventricular block.

These arrhythmias can lead to heart failure, hydrophobia, and without successful treatment until the fetus is dead. Heart rhythm disturbances are the most common cause of nonimmune hydropas, which is a sign of the terminal phase of heart failure.

Prenatally we most often encounter asymptomatic premature atrial or ventricular stunts that do not require any treatment.