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Response of fetal tachycardia to transplacental procainamide therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2008

John K. Triedman*
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Boston
Edward P. Walsh
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Boston
J. Philip Saul
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Boston
*
Dr. John K.Triedman, Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115USA. Tel. 617-735-7893; Fax. 617-735-7513.

Abstract

We describe two fetuses presenting with hydrops and tachycardia who were treated by prolonged dosage with procainamide. Initial therapy with digoxin in both had been unsuccessful in controlling the rapid heart rate. The first child was delivered after five weeks of transplacental therapy, and demonstrated Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome on the second day which was controlled with flecainide. The second fetus required three and a half weeks of intrauterine treatment. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome became manifest four days after premature labor at 33 weeks gestation. No tachycardia occurred postnatally and the infant has been well during follow-up. The implications of treatment are discussed.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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