The clinical significance of fetal right heart enlargement with a structurally normal heart

Br J Radiol. 1997 Oct;70(838):983-5. doi: 10.1259/bjr.70.838.9404198.

Abstract

Isolated right heart enlargement of the fetus without cardiac structural abnormalities appears to be associated with growth retardation or abnormal perinatal outcome. We report the outcome of eight fetuses with subjective enlargement of the right heart. All cases were diagnosed antenatally from a standard four-chamber view on an ultrasound scan. All fetuses had otherwise normal cardiac anatomy. Seven out of the eight fetuses ultimately had outcomes which deviated from the norm. An isolated finding of fetal right heart enlargement warrants close antenatal fetal surveillance.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fetal Growth Retardation
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular / complications
  • Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prognosis
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*