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Characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with pericardial effusions

Timothy C Slesnick1, Nancy A Ayres, Carolyn A Altman

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

The American Journal of Cardiology
|August 16, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Fetal pericardial effusions (PEs) can indicate serious heart conditions or chromosomal issues. However, isolated PEs in fetuses often resolve, leading to a good prognosis for the baby.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatology
  • Fetal Cardiology
  • Medical Genetics

Background:

  • Pericardial effusions (PEs) in fetuses are not well understood.
  • Limited data exists on the factors influencing fetal PEs and their outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors associated with fetal pericardial effusions (PEs).
  • To describe the natural history and outcomes of fetuses diagnosed with PEs.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of fetal cases with pericardial effusions.
  • Correlation of PE size and presence of hydrops or extracardiac malformations with outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Large PEs correlate with increased risks of structural heart disease, impaired cardiac function, and chromosomal abnormalities.
  • The presence of hydrops or extracardiac malformations in fetuses with PEs is associated with mortality.
  • Most cases of fetal PEs demonstrate spontaneous resolution.

Conclusions:

  • Fetuses with isolated pericardial effusions have a favorable prognosis.
  • Early identification of associated conditions is crucial for managing fetal PEs.

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