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Diminutive fetal left ventricle at mid‐gestation associated with persistent left superior vena cava and coronary sinus dilatation
Author(s) -
Jouannic J.M.,
Picone O.,
Martinovic J.,
Fermont L.,
Dumez Y.,
Bonnet D.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.241
Subject(s) - medicine , persistent left superior vena cava , coronary sinus , ventricle , hypoplasia , cardiology , mitral valve , fetal echocardiography , fetus , prenatal diagnosis , pregnancy , biology , genetics
In a fetus with a small left ventricle diagnosed at mid‐gestation, a persistent left superior vena cava connected to a dilated coronary sinus was detected. Although the size of the mitral annulus appeared to be normal, opening of the mitral valves was restricted in diastole. Echocardiographic follow‐up showed no significant growth of the left ventricle and termination of pregnancy was carried out at 31 weeks at the parents' request. In addition to the prenatal findings, postmortem examination revealed a small mitral annulus with abnormal insertion of the mitral valve chordae tendineae. We hypothesized that abnormal venous return to a dilated coronary sinus may have led to mitral valve dysfunction and hypoplasia. On the other hand the left ventricular hypoplasia we observed may have involved a global abnormality of the left‐sided cardiac structures. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.