Korean J Perinatol.  2014 Dec;25(4):297-301. 10.14734/kjp.2014.25.4.297.

Idiopathic Constriction of the Fetal Ductus Arteriosus with Right Ventricular Failure; Rapid Resolution after Birth

• Lee DR
• Ahn KJ
• Kim GB
• Kwon BS
• Bae EJ
• Noh CI

• KMID: 2281148
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14734/kjp.2014.25.4.297

Abstract

Premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus is rare, but it can occur during fetal life idiopathically or secondary to medications or structural lesions. Premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus can lead to progressive right heart dysfunction, heart failure, subsequent hydrops fetalis, and even fetal death. Herein, we describe a case of fetal ductus arteriosus constriction of unknown etiology with a severely enlarged and hypertrophied right ventricle, which resolved dramatically soon after birth.

Keyword

Ductus arteriosus; Prenatal diagnosis; Constriction; Pathologic

MeSH Terms

Constriction*
Ductus Arteriosus*
Fetal Death
Heart
Heart Failure
Heart Ventricles
Hydrops Fetalis
Parturition*
Prenatal Diagnosis

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Fetal echocardiogram at gestational age of 37 weeks and 2 days. A: The 2 dimensional image shows a severely enlarged and hypertrophied right ventricle on 4 chamber view. B: Color Doppler reveals prematurely constricted ductus arteriosus with a narrowest diameter of 1.3 mm and length of 6 mm (arrow). RV: right ventricle, LV: left ventricle, PA: pulmonary artery, Ao: aorta.

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  Fig. 2. Chest posterior-anterior (PA) radiograph. A: Chest PA radiograph at birth shows severe cardiomegaly with a cardiothoracic (CT) ratio of 66.2%. B: Chest PA radiograph at 2 weeks after birth shows that the heart shadow has regressed to normal with a CT ratio of 46.7%.

• 

  Fig. 2. Chest posterior-anterior (PA) radiograph. A: Chest PA radiograph at birth shows severe cardiomegaly with a cardiothoracic (CT) ratio of 66.2%. B: Chest PA radiograph at 2 weeks after birth shows that the heart shadow has regressed to normal with a CT ratio of 46.7%.

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