FETAL DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN PULMONARY ATRESIA

The prenatal diagnosis of pulmonary atresia is of particular importanc e because the affected neonate may be dependent on ductal blood flow t o the lung, requiring urgent administration of prostaglandins. We revi ew eight cases studied by ultrasonography in utero. Severe tricuspid r egurgitation was present in six fetuses. Right ventricular size varied among cases. Right atrial enlargement was present in seven, usually w ith tricuspid regurgitation. Failure to identify the main pulmonary-ar tery or valve on a single examination was not specific. Doppler flow s tudies were most reliable for the diagnosis by establishing the existe nce of retrograde flow in the ductus arteriosus from the aorta.