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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Maternal cardiac arrest in early pregnancy
E C M Nelissen1, C de Zwaan, M A E Marcus
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. enel@sgyn.azm.nl, e.nelissen@mumc.nl
Abstract:
A primigravid woman suffered a prolonged cardiac arrest at 18 weeks of gestation. Dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed. After recovery, the patient received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. At 38 weeks of gestation she had an elective caesarean delivery. Both mother and child had a favourable outcome. The effect of pregnancy on underlying cardiac disease and the management of maternal cardiac arrest with a pre-viable fetus are discussed. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach is emphasized. Continued neurodevelopmental assessment of the newborn is necessary to detect the long-term effects of fetal hypoxia in early pregnancy.
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