Effective fetal cardiac massage during fetal cardiac intervention gone wrong

Background: Fetal cardiac arrest may occur as a complication of ultrasound-guided fetal cardiac interventions. Case: Ultrasound-guided fetal septoplasty via an 18-gauge needle was performed in a human fetus with aortic atresia at 23+6 weeks of gestation because of a non-patent atrial septum associated with severe pulmonary congestion. Following successful creation of an opening by laser energy, a micro-grasper was inserted via the needle shaft and an even larger opening in the atrial septum was achieved. As a result, complete alleviation of pulmonary congestion was observed. Unfortunately, at this time, the micr…