Characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with pericardial effusions

Timothy C Slesnick; Nancy A Ayres; Carolyn A Altman; Louis I Bezold; Benjamin W Eidem; J Kennard Fraley; Grace C Kung; Colin J McMahon; Ricardo H Pignatelli; John P Kovalchin

doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2005.04.027

Characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with pericardial effusions

Am J Cardiol. 2005 Aug 15;96(4):599-601. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2005.04.027.

Authors

Timothy C Slesnick¹, Nancy A Ayres, Carolyn A Altman, Louis I Bezold, Benjamin W Eidem, J Kennard Fraley, Grace C Kung, Colin J McMahon, Ricardo H Pignatelli, John P Kovalchin

Affiliation

¹ The Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Cardiology, Texas Children's Hospital, USA.

PMID: 16098320
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2005.04.027

Abstract

Little is known about the characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with pericardial effusions (PEs); therefore, this study sought to identify factors associated with fetal PEs and the natural histories and outcomes of fetuses with PEs. Large PEs are associated with a greater likelihood of structural heart disease, impaired cardiac function, and chromosomal abnormalities, and PEs with hydrops or extracardiac malformations are associated with death. Most fetal PEs resolve, and fetuses with isolated PEs have a very good prognosis.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Chromosome Aberrations / embryology
Echocardiography, Doppler
Female
Fetal Death / epidemiology
Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
Fetal Diseases / embryology
Fetal Diseases / mortality
Follow-Up Studies
Gestational Age
Heart Defects, Congenital / complications
Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnostic imaging
Heart Defects, Congenital / embryology
Humans
Hydrops Fetalis / complications
Hydrops Fetalis / diagnostic imaging
Hydrops Fetalis / embryology
Pericardial Effusion / diagnostic imaging
Pericardial Effusion / etiology*
Pericardial Effusion / mortality
Pregnancy
Retrospective Studies
Survival Rate
Ultrasonography, Prenatal