Abstract：Objective: To investigate the correlation between fetal cardiac tumor with congestive heart failure(CHF), and explore possible mechanisms of CHF. Methods: Twelve fetuses with cardiac tumor underwent echocardiographic fetal cardiac function examination. Results: ①Tumors of the heart was identified in 12 cases. ②Hydrops fetalis developed in 2 cases, with decreased ventricular fractional shortening(FS%) and combined cardiac output(CCO)(P<0.001), increased fetal cardiothoracic ratio, and asymmetrical enlargement of atrium and ventricle or myocardial hypertrophy. ③Medium to severe regurgitation of mitral valve and tricuspid valve occured in 8 cases, and regurgitation of pulmonary valve in 3 cases. Conclusion: In fetuses with cardiac tumors, Doppler echocardiography is valuable in quantifying fetal cardiac function by calculating such indices as FS and CCO, and assessing both intracardiac and peripheral hemodynamics.
2006, Vol. 17 
