Prenatal Diagnosis of Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection by Detection of Dilatation of Superior Vena cava in Hypoplastic Left Heart

• Published in: Fetal diagnosis and therapy Vol. 17; no. 5; pp. 298 - 301
• Main Authors: Respondek-Liberska, Maria, Janiak, Katarzyna, Moll, Jadwiga, Ostrowska, Katarzyna, Czichos, Ewa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland 01.05.2002
• Subjects: Fetal echocardiography; Pulmonary venous return; Autopsy; Partial anomalous pulmonary vein connections
• ISSN: 1015-3837; 1421-9964
• DOI: 10.1159/000063184

A 27-week fetus was given targeted fetal echocardiography due to an abnormal four-chamber view. A complex heart malformation was seen with two atria, a single ventricle, and aortic and mitral atresia. In addition to intracardiac findings, a dilated superior vena cava (SVC) was seen, suggesting a possible abnormal pulmonary venous connection to the SVC. An increased venous flow (up to 90 cm/s) was recorded as well. The course of pregnancy was uneventful and the baby was delivered vaginally at term. Cardiac surgery was planned but the baby died on 4th day of life. The autopsy findings confirmed both intracardiac anomalies as well as partial anomalous venous connection to SVC, with no apparent obstruction. This is the first report which stresses that dilatation of the fetal SVC may be suspicious for partial abnormal pulmonary venous connection during prenatal life.