Successful outcome after prenatal treatment of a cardiac diverticulum with massive pericardial effusion

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Fetal Medicine
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Congenital ventricular cardiac diverticula are rare cardiac malformations.
• These can present prenatally with fetal pericardial effusion, potentially impacting fetal development.
• Management is challenging due to variable disease progression and outcomes.

Observation:

• A case of congenital ventricular cardiac diverticulum with massive fetal pericardial effusion is presented.
• The effusion significantly threatened fetal circulatory and lung development.
• Intervention was performed relatively late in gestation.

Findings:

• Successful pericardiocentesis was performed, leading to a positive fetal outcome.
• The intervention managed the massive pericardial effusion effectively.
• Review of literature and discussion of management options are included.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates the feasibility of late-gestation intervention for fetal pericardial effusion.
• Successful management can improve outcomes in complex congenital cardiac conditions.
• Further research into optimal timing and techniques for intervention is warranted.