Table 1 Outcome of fetuses showing atrioventricular heart block.
| Case | Referral gestation | Referral rhythm | Rhythm at delivery | Fetal therapy | Gestation delivery/death | Postnatal rhythm | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27+5 | CHB | CHB | None | c/s 39 weeks | CHB | Not paced |
| 2 | 21+1 | CHB | CHB | None | c/s 38+1 | CHB | PPM 2.5 yrs |
| 3 | 24 | CHB | SSS | None | c/s premature labour 34 weeks | SSS | Hypothyroid on thyroxine. No pacing at 14 months |
| 4 | 22 | CHB | 1° AVB | Betamethasone 5 mg o.d. (1 month) | c/s 31 weeks IUGR (1.26 kg) | 2° AVB | PPM 1 year |
| 5 | 22 | CHB & hydrops | CHB IUD | None | IUD 31 weeks | IUD | IUD |
| 6 | 26+6 | CHB | CHB | None | c/s 39 2.7 kg | CHB | PPM day 4 |
| 7 | 20 | 2:1 heart block | CHB | Dexamethasone 6 weeks (SLE, IDDM, hypothyroid) | c/s 38 weeks (3.95 kg) | CHB | No Rx – moved abroad |
| 8 | 19 | 1° AVB | 1° AVB | None | SVD term | 1° AVB | None |
| 9 | 25+5 | 1° AVB | 1° AVB | None | SVD term | 1° AVB | None |
1° AVB, first‐degree heart block; 2° AVB, second‐degree heart block; CHB, complete heart block; c/s, caesarean section; IDDM, insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus; IUD, intrauterine death; IUGR, intrauterine growth restriction; o.d., once daily; PPM, permanent pacemaker; Rx, treatment; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus; SSS, sick sinus syndrome; SVD, spontaneous vaginal delivery.