Absent ductus venosus--outcomes and implications from a tertiary centre

Absent ductus venosus (ADV) has been reported as case reports and series with suggestions that the outcome is variable. The prognosis depended on the associated abnormalities with ADV and the type of umbilical venous drainage.

We performed a retrospective audit of all cases with ADV in our centre from 2004 to 2008 and prospectively collected cases from 2008 and analysed the associations and outcomes. To our 22 cases, we added 67 cases extracted from all the reported case series with isolated ADV in the English literature and analysed them together.

Eight of the 22 cases in our centre had isolated ADV and all eight fetuses were live born with no adverse outcomes. This was similar when compiled with the 67 extracted cases. Of the 89 cases; 19 with isolated ADV had 100% survival. This was independent of the umbilical venous drainage in contrast to previous reports. The overall survival is 57% and 45% when there is an associated abnormality in the fetus.

Isolated ADV has a favourable outcome regardless of the umbilical venous drainage.