Fetal cardiocentesis: a review of indications, risks, applications and technique.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2008

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To review the indications, applications and technique of fetal cardiocentesis.

METHODS: Review of published case reports and case series of fetal cardiocentesis utilizing the PubMed search engine of the National Library of Medicine.

RESULTS: Case reports and case series demonstrate that fetal cardiocentesis may be an alternative method by which to facilitate prenatal diagnosis, intravascular therapy, multifetal and selective fetal reduction and in utero therapy of congenital heart disease. However, procedure-associated risk is higher than with cordocentesis and may limit use of this procedure.

CONCLUSIONS: Fetal cardiocentesis may be a reasonable option to obtain fetal intravascular access and facilitate therapeutic interventions when cordocentesis fails or is not feasible. However, expected benefit must clearly outweigh the procedure-associated risk.

Volume

23

Issue

3

First Page

237

Last Page

244

ISSN

1421-9964

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

18417985

Department(s)

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Document Type

Article

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