Fetal dysrhythmias : Practice points
Fetal cardiac dysrhythmias are potentially life-threatening conditions. However, intermittent
extrasystoles, which are frequently encountered in clinical practice, do not require treatment.
Sustained forms of brady- and tachyarrhythmias might require fetal intervention. Fetal echocardiography
is essential not only to establish the diagnosis but also to monitor fetal response to therapy.
In the last decade, improvements in ultrasound methodology and new diagnostic tools have
contributed to better diagnostic accuracy and to a greater understanding of the electrophysiological
mechanisms involved in fetal cardiac dysrhythmias.