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Idiopathic Constriction of the Fetal Ductus Arteriosus
Author(s) -
Enzensberger Christian,
Wienhard Julia,
Weichert Jan,
Kawecki Andreea,
Degenhardt Jan,
Vogel Melanie,
Axt-Fliedner Roland
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/jum.2012.31.8.1285
Subject(s) - ductus arteriosus , medicine , constriction , cardiology , fetus , heart failure , regurgitation (circulation) , fetal echocardiography , hydrops fetalis , etiology , prenatal diagnosis , pregnancy , genetics , biology
Premature constriction or closure of the ductus arteriosus can occur during fetal life. It is a rare phenomenon and has been described secondary to medication or structural lesions or as idiopathic constriction. Premature closure of the ductus arteriosus can lead to progressive right heart dysfunction with tricuspid regurgitation, congestive heart failure, fetal hydrops, and intrauterine death. This series describes diagnosis of fetal ductus arteriosus constriction of unknown etiology in 3 cases, prenatal management, and outcomes. Constriction of the ductus arteriosus can be diagnosed prenatally with careful interrogation of the ductal arch using pulsed Doppler sonography and complete fetal echocardiography. Close monitoring is mandatory to rule out development of right heart failure and to determine the intervention time.