Chronic antepartum maternal hyperoxygenation in a case of severe fetal Ebstein's anomaly with circular shunt physiology

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Fetal Medicine
• Neonatal Care

Background:

• Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve is associated with high perinatal mortality.
• Pulmonary valve regurgitation in fetuses with Ebstein's anomaly poses a particularly high risk.
• Circular shunt physiology and systemic steal are critical concerns in these cases.

Observation:

• A late-presenting case of Ebstein's anomaly with severe tricuspid regurgitation was observed.
• The fetus exhibited continuous pulmonary valve regurgitation and reversed ductal flow.
• Chronic antepartum maternal oxygen therapy was administered.

Findings:

• Maternal oxygen therapy led to fetal ductus arteriosus constriction.
• This intervention modulated fetal pulmonary vascular resistance.
• The strategy aimed to mitigate systemic steal in a complex cardiac defect.

Implications:

• Antepartum maternal oxygen therapy may be a novel strategy for managing fetal Ebstein's anomaly with pulmonary valve regurgitation.
• This approach could offer a new pathway to reduce perinatal mortality in high-risk fetal cardiac conditions.
• Further research is warranted to validate this therapeutic option in perinatal cardiology.