Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System
Published on: May 5, 2018
Parvovirus-mediated fetal cardiomyopathy with atrioventricular nodal disease
Shira G Fishman1, Linda M Pelaez, Rebecca N Baergen
1Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 525 East 68th Street, Box 122, New York, NY 10065, USA. sgf2001@med.cornell.edu
Abstract:
Acute parvovirus B19 infection (API) in pregnancy has been associated with fetal anemia and hydrops fetalis. Direct myocardial damage from API in a fetus and an infant has been described. This report presents a case of fetal second-degree heart block and cardiomyopathy secondary to API. A 19-year-old G4P1112 (gravida 4 para 2 with 1 term delivery, 1 preterm delivery, 1 termination, and 2 living children) was referred at 20 weeks gestation for fetal bradycardia. A 2:1 atrioventricular block was identified by fetal echocardiography at 23 weeks. Hydrops developed at 25 weeks. Amniocentesis and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling demonstrated API. At 31 weeks, the patient presented with preterm labor and delivered a viable female infant, who died of poor cardiac function and arrhythmia on the first day of life. In addition to fetal anemia and hydrops fetalis, API in pregnancy may cause direct fetal myocardial damage and conduction system disease.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

