Prenatal identification of the pulmonary arterial supply in tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.

Objective: To define the patterns of flow of blood to the lungs in fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia.

Background: In this condition, supply of blood to the lungs is provided via an arterial duct or systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries, or very rarely through other conduits such as coronary arterial fistulas or an aortopulmonary window. The intrapericardial pulmonary arteries vary in size, and may be absent.

Evaluation of fetal arrhythmias from simultaneous pulsed wave Doppler in pulmonary artery and vein.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical application of simultaneous recordings of pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) signals in pulmonary artery and vein as alternative sampling site for assessment of arrhythmias in the fetus.

Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study.

Setting: Tertiary referral centre for fetal cardiology.

Can atrioventricular septal defects exist with intact septal structures?

The hallmark of an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) is a common atrioventricular junction, giving rise to a trileaflet left atrioventricular valve. AVSDs have the potential for interatrial shunting alone, interventricular shunting alone, or both. AVSDs without interatrial or interventricular communications have been identified at postmortem examination, but there are no reports of AVSDs with intact septal structures diagnosed in life.