Fetal Arrhythmias: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis

Objective: To evaluate patients who were referred to our center with suspicion of fetal arrhythmia for diagnosis, results of treatment and prognosis. Methods: Thirty -three patients referred to our center for evaluation of fetal cardiac arrhythmias were examined by M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography for cardiac anomaly and type of dysrhythmia Results: Arrhythmias were diagnosed in 15 of 33 patients. Four cases demonstrated tachycardia, 5 - ectopic beats, 6 - bradycardia. Of 5 fetuses with tachycardia, transplacental antiarrhythmic drugs were administered in three cases; two of them with hydrops died and conversion of the arrhythmia was achieved in one. Six patients with bradycardia had poor perinatal outcome, with 3 deaths occurred (two of them had third degree atrioventricular block, one of them had sinus bradycardia). All patients with ectopic beats had a good perinatal outcome. Conclusion: The results suggest that bradycardic and/or hydropic fetuses have poor prognosis, however fetuses with ectopic beats generally have desirable prognosis.