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Published on: February 17, 2018
Morphine-induced supraventricular tachycardia in near-term fetus
Vincenzo Zanardo1, Alphonse Simbi2, Matteo Parotto2,3
1Division of Perinatal Medicine, Policlinico Abano Terme, Piazza Colombo 1, 35031, Abano Terme, Italy. vincenzo.zanardo@libero.it.
Background:
Fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), characterized by fetal heart rate between 220 and 260 bpm, is a rare but most commonly encountered fetal cardiac arrhythmia in pregnancy that may be associated with adverse perinatal outcome.
Case Presentation:
We describe a 36/6 week near term fetus who presented morphine-induced SVT after maternal treatment of a renal colic. Following emergency cesarean section, the neonate had resolution of symptoms.
Conclusions:
The pathophysiology of morphine-related SVT, previously documented in experimental animal models, and for the first time reported in the human fetus, is presented.
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