Assessment of Fetal Heart Rhythm and Rate in Complete Congenital Heart Block by Fetal Magnetocardiography

摘要

Four subjects with isolated complete congenital heart block were monitored serially with fMCG. Two distinct heart rate patterns predominated. The first pattern showed relatively high mean ventricular heart rate (65-75 bpm), reactive atrial and ventricular heart rate tracings, and remarkably high correlation between the atrial and ventricular heart rates. The second pattern showed relatively low ventricular rate (47-53 bpm) with an extremely flat ventricular heart rate pattern and a normal atrial heart rate pattern. In addition to CCHB, other rhythms were observed, including premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular bigeminy. Marked changes in heart rate and rhythm were observed over time in two subjects. FMCG can delineate fetal heart rate and rhythm patterns that may have important prognostic value in clinical management of CCHB.