Abstract

SAVIO BENAVIDES, Andrés et al. Echocardiographic diagnosis of fetal primary heart tumors. Rev Cubana Pediatr [online]. 2009, vol.81, n.4, pp. 1-9. ISSN 1561-3119.

INTRODUCTION: Echocardiographic features of fetal primary heart tumors are described, as well as its natural history and its complications to analyze its behavior during two different periods along 20 years. METHODS: Study was developed in two stages. In the first one a total of 1,884 pregnants between 18 and 22 gestational weeks were studied who were seen in consultation due to different obstetric risk factors. The technique applied was similar to that at worldwide using a equipment Combison 320-5 and Aloka 860 and electronic transducers of 3,5 and 5 MHz, and color coded Doppler to study the intracavitary flux and the pressure gradient. RESULTS: Six cardiac tumors were identified representing the 0,3% of study cases. Five were rhabdomyosarcomas, and one was a right atrium myxoma. Most blockade the inlet and outlet tracts. There was an arrhythmia in a case. Sensibility and specificity rates were of 100% and 99,8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It was shown the poor frequency of fetal cardiac tumors and the significance of echocardiography by its high sensibility and specificity rate.

Keywords : Prenatal diagnosis; cardiac tumors; tuberous sclerosis; rhabdomyomas; genetic advice.