Hemodynamic abnormalities in fetuses with congenital heart disease

W. A. Lutin, M. R. Brumund, C. Jones, C. E. Tharpe, M. Montegomery, F. M. McCaffrey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to assess left and right ventricular function, volume ejection fraction, combined stroke volume, and combined ventricular output in the human fetus with congenital heart disease compared to the normal healthy fetus. Seventy-two fetuses with a variety of in utero diagnosed congenital cardiac defects were compared with a control group of fetuses with structurally normal hearts matched for race, maternal age, and gestational age. We demonstrated significant hemodynamic changes in the fetus with congenital heart disease. There was a significant (p < 0.0001) decrease in the volume ejection fractions, biventricular stroke volume, and cardiac output in the congenital heart disease group compared to matched controls. Our findings suggest that hemodynamic abnormalities in the fetus with congenital heart disease are present before birth and we speculate that myocardial reserve may not be adequate to respond to hemodynamic stressors such as birth or heart surgery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)390-395
Number of pages6
JournalPediatric Cardiology
Volume20
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1999

Keywords

  • Congenital
  • Echocardiography
  • Fetus
  • Heart defects
  • Ventricular function

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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