Objectives: To evaluate the significance of natriuretic peptide (NP) levels in fetal arrhythmia.
Study design: Cardiovascular profile (CVP) scores and umbilical vein (UV) NP levels at birth were compared by different fetal arrhythmia statuses.
Results: Fetal tachyarrhythmia (n = 22), bradyarrhythmia (n = 12), extrasystole (n = 12) and controls (n = 127) were enrolled in this study. Fetal antiarrhythmic therapy was performed in fetuses with tachyarrhythmia (n = 18) and bradyarrhythmia (n = 5). Fetal arrhythmias were divided into three groups: group A (arrhythmia controlled at birth, n = 17), Group B (arrhythmia uncontrolled at birth, n = 9) and Group C (fetal therapy not indicated, n = 20). Group B had significantly lower CVP scores and higher NP levels than the other two groups and controls (p < .01). Groups A and C had significantly lower CVP scores than controls, but NP levels in Groups A and C showed no differences compared with controls.
Conclusions: UV NP concentrations reflect the severity of fetal arrhythmia and responses to fetal therapy.
Keywords: Cardiovascular profile score; congenital heart disease; fetal arrhythmia; fetal therapy; heart failure; natriuretic peptide.