PerCar - Perinatal Cardiology

Pagine ed articoli di informazioni sulle cardiopatie congenite dal feto al giovane adulto. Potete usare questa sezione per potere interagire con i medici

Fetal Doppler echocardiographic diagnosis and successful steroid therapy of Luciani-Wenckebach phenomenon and endocardial fibroelastosis related to maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies

Fetal Doppler echocardiographic diagnosis and successful steroid therapy of Luciani-Wenckebach phenomenon and endocardial fibroelastosis related to maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies

Marie-Josée Raboisson, MD a 1 – Jean-Claude Fouron, MD a – Sven-Erik Sonesson, MD b –
Margareta Nyman, MD c – Francine Proulx, RT a – Sylvie Gamache, RT a

Abstract
Background
Complete fetal heart block (HB) and endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) are known to be associated with maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies. Complete fetal HB is irreversible.

Objectives
We sought to (1) assess the value of the superior vena cava/ascending aorta Doppler approach in the early detection of abnormal delay in the fetal atrioventricular (AV) time of conduction, before appearance of complete fetal HB; and (2) report the effect of prenatal steroid therapy on EFE, HB, or both.

Results
The clinical history, echocardiographic, and Doppler investigations of 3 fetuses and children born to mothers positive for anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies are reported. Two fetuses presented with EFE either isolated (29 weeks) or associated with AV block (25 weeks). In this last case, the superior vena cava/ascending aorta approach allowed the identification of a Luciani-Wenckebach phenomenon. In a third fetus, 2:1 AV block was noted at 23 weeks of gestation. Dexamethasone (4 mg/day) was administered to all 3 patients. Complete regression of the EFE and conduction abnormalities was documented in all cases.

Conclusion
Early prenatal detection of abnormal delay in fetal AV time conduction is possible with the Doppler superior vena cava/ascending aorta approach. Steroid therapy can cure fetal EFE and AV conduction delays associated with maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies.

Publishing and Reprint Information

  • a – Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, St-Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • b – Pediatric Cardiology Service, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
    c- Department of Obstetrics, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
  • 1 – Dr Raboisson is currently affiliated with the Louis Pradel Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Hospital of Lyon, France.
  • Reprint requests: Jean-Claude Fouron, MD, Fetal Cardiology Unit, St-Justine Hospital, 3175, Côte Ste-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5 Canada

    Email address: fouron@sympatico.ca (Jean-Claude Fouron)

  • Copyright © 2005 by American Society of Echocardiography
    doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2004.10.023

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