UMBILICAL VEIN DOPPLER STUDIES OF A FETUS WITH COMPLETE HEART-BLOCK

A 21 week fetus was diagnosed with complete heart block. From the firs t diagnosis until 38 weeks gestation, umbilical venous pulsations occu rred during ventricular systole. The ventricular frequency was 49 bpm. The venous pulsations corresponded with the ventricular frequency. At 38 weeks venous pulsations also occurred during ventricular diastole. Umbilical pulsations during diastole were associated with a decrease of ventricular frequency to 28 bpm and fetal hydrops. The venous pulsa tions during ventricular systole seem to be characteristic of complete heart block. The pulsations during ventricular diastole reflect the f etal heart failure. Doppler ultrasound aids in the diagnosis and surve illance of the fetus with complete heart block.