Benign Fetal Bradycardias Diagnosed by Echocardiography

Deborah M. Friedman; Morton Borg; Lisa Rutkovsky; Jill P. Buyon

doi:10.1055/s-2007-994411

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 1995; 12(2): 87-90
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994411

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Benign Fetal Bradycardias Diagnosed by Echocardiography

Deborah M. Friedman, Morton Borg, Lisa Rutkovsky, Jill P. Buyon

Division of Pediatric Cardiology, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, and Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Five cases of benign fetal arrhythmias presented with dramatic pictures of sustained irregular bradycardias. These cases were not associated with structural heart disease, the development of hydrops fetalis, or maternal autoantibodies. In all but one case, the arrhythmias resolved before delivery. Two fetuses had 2:1 atrioventricular block and the other three showed group beating due to blocked atrial trigeminy. With regular intermittent reevaluation, and if no signs of hydrops occur, watchful waiting is the suggested therapeutic modality.

Keywords

Fetal echocardiography - bradyarrhythmia

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