Hemodynamic studies of isolated absent ductus venosus.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to evaluate hemodynamic changes among fetuses with isolated absent ductus venosus (IADV) diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fetuses with prenatal diagnosis of IADV were recruited and followed. Hemodynamic assessment was performed in all cases, including measurement of cardiac dimensions, shortening fraction, myocardial performance index, preload index in the inferior vena cava and the presence of venous pulsations in the umbilical vein (UV). RESULTS: Nine fetuses of IADV were assessed, including six cases with extra-hepatic UV drainage and three with intra-hepatic drainage. All fetuses with extra-hepatic UV drainage showed an elevated preload index in the inferior vena cava, venous pulsations in the UV and cardiomegaly. Of them, four had hydrops, two showed poor cardiac function and three resulted in perinatal mortality. Three cases with intra-hepatic drainage had continuous flow in the UV, normal in all hemodynamic parameters and all survived. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic assessment of fetuses with IADV was helpful in predicting the development of hydrops and perinatal mortality. The poor prognostic factors included cardiac overload, cardiomegaly, poor myocardial performance, increased preload, the presence of venous pulsations and extra-hepatic UV drainage. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.