Cardiac Etiologies of Hydrops Fetalis

Abstract Cardiac etiologies of hydrops fetalis have been a topic of concern due to challenging perinatal management. The common cardiac etiologies leading to hydrops fetalis include structural cardiac anomalies, cardiac dysrhythmias, cardiac tumors, cardiomyopathy and myocarditis. The mechanisms of cardiogenic hydrops fetalis may be: 1) elevation of atrial pressure and volume overload, 2) decrease of cardiac output, and 3) development of congestive heart failure. The diagnosis of hydrops fetalis was usually made at 19–36 gestational weeks, when ultrasound is a highly effective diagnostic method. Intrauterine int…