Diagnosis of fetal complete atrioventricular block with echocardiography / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the application of M-mode echocardiography and Doppler echocardiography in diagnosing complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) in fetus. Methods M-mode and Doppler echocardiography were used to screen the fetuses and bradycadia was established as CAVB in 10 cases. Atrial and ventricular rhythm was measured by M-mode echocardiography. Flow of mitral valve, left ventricular in-flow and out-flow tract, venous duct was measured by Doppler echocardiography. The characteristics and prognoses of CAVB fetus were compared and analyzed. Results CAVB was established as independence in rhythm of atrium and ventricle. The rhythm of atrium could be in normal range, while the rhythm of ventricle should be slower than normal. Enlarged chambers were observed in 6 cases, cardiac dysfunction in 5 cases, and pericardial effusion in 7 cases. Tricuspid regurgitation and mitral regurgitation existed in 5 and 1 case, respectively. All of the CAVB fetus in this study underwent abortions. Conclusions Fetal echocardiography is proven to be a useful tool to diagnose CAVB, which greatly influenced the cardiac function in fetuses. Clear diagnosis as early as possible is crucial to the treatment of CAVB fetus.