[Clinical application of two-dimensional echocardiography in fetal cardiac arrhythmias]

Fetal echocardiography was performed in 16 patients referred for the evaluation of cardiac arrhythmias at 29 to 39 weeks' gestation and in 5 normal fetuses for the control. In all fetuses, the heart could be visualized by two-dimensional echocardiography. Monitoring the four-chamber view by two-dimensional echocardiography, we examined recorded the contraction sequence of the atrial and ventricular walls and the ventricular septum by single or dual M-mode echocardiograms, and could diagnose various arrhythmias including atrial flutter, complete and incomplete heart blocks, premature contractions and sinus arrhythmias. These arrhythmias frequently accompanied with heart failure, which was evaluated fairly well by total cardiac dimensions echocardiographically determined. Ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion and skin edema were mostly observed in severe congestive heart failure.