Abstract
This report describes the sequence of events in the development and subsequent spontaneous resolution of functional tricuspid valve atresia in the donor fetus in a case of twin to twin transfusion syndrome. Fetoscopic laser coagulation of the placental anastomoses was performed at 20 weeks' gestation. Subsequently, there was evidence of increased placental vascular resistance in the donor twin and major impairment of right ventricular function with no forward flow through the tricuspid valve. During the next four weeks, however, there was spontaneous and complete recovery of ventricular function and resolution of the functional tricuspid valve atresia. These findings suggest that alterations in fetal haemodynamics may result in structural cardiac abnormality and may be the precursors of some forms of congenital heart disease.
Full text
PDF



Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Allan L. D. Diagnosis of fetal cardiac abnormalities. Arch Dis Child. 1989 Jul;64(7 Spec No):964–968. doi: 10.1136/adc.64.7_spec_no.964. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Cullen S., Sharland G. K., Allan L. D., Sullivan I. D. Potential impact of population screening for prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Arch Dis Child. 1992 Jul;67(7 Spec No):775–778. doi: 10.1136/adc.67.7_spec_no.775. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Saunders N. J., Snijders R. J., Nicolaides K. H. Therapeutic amniocentesis in twin-twin transfusion syndrome appearing in the second trimester of pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1992 Mar;166(3):820–824. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(92)91340-g. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Shinebourne E. A., Elseed A. M. Relation between fetal flow patterns, coarctation of the aorta, and pulmonary blood flow. Br Heart J. 1974 May;36(5):492–498. doi: 10.1136/hrt.36.5.492. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Ville Y., Hecher K., Ogg D., Warren R., Nicolaides K. Successful outcome after Nd : YAG laser separation of chorioangiopagus-twins under sonoendoscopic control. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 1992 Nov 1;2(6):429–431. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1992.02060429.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]






