[Intrauterine treatment of fetal tachycardia causing circulatory failure]

The authors report a case of fetal supraventricular tachycardia with the heart rate of 400/min diagnosed in the 34th week of pregnancy. Congestive heart failure forming non immun hydrops fetalis was occurred by this rhythm disturbance. With digitalis and beta receptor blocker propranolol therapy administered to the mother the rhythm disturbance has stopped, ascites and hydrothorax secondary to fetal congestive heart failure have been abolished. Congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy were excluded by fetal echocardiography. In the 40th week a healthy newborn was delivered by cesarean section and after delivery congenital heart disease, rhythm disorder, infection or metabolic disturbance couldn't be verified. The authors reviewing the literature demonstrate the suggested investigating procedures and the possibilities of therapy in the case of fetal supraventricular tachycardia.