This research shows a way of developing a unique non-invasive and low-cost fetal arrhythmia diagnosis method and evaluated the learning model for evaluating the leave one out (LOO) cross-validation. 2019;69:3836. Fetal arrhythmia is rare. Figure 4.4. In addition, any fetal kicking or motion produces a very loud noise that will saturate the automatic gain system on the monitors amplifier, resulting in complete loss of recording for several seconds while waiting for the amplifier to reopen. Capuruo CA, Mota CC, Rezende GD, Santos R. P06.03: fetal tachyarrhythmia: diagnosis, treatment and outcome. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! The World Health Organization (WHO 2014) stated that between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world`s population over 60 years of age will double from about 11 % to 22 %. The frequency of intraperitoneal injections depended on the therapeutic response, usually 14 doses, but up to 11 doses in an extreme case with a conversion time of 11.5days after the initial injection. The effect of intrauterine therapy of fetal tachyarrhythmias depends on the types or etiology of fetal arrhythmia and fetal conditions (hydrops fetalis, cardiac function, and maternal autoantiboy positivity, etc.). Am J Cardiol. Int J Cardiol. In the third case, a heart rate recording thought to . In: Jarm, T., Kramar, P., Zupanic, A. These arrhythmias do not represent an expression of the physiological behavior of the ANS. Sustained fetal arrhythmias associated with major structural heart disorders, hydrops fetalis, and fetal heart failure warrant intrauterine pharmaceutical conversion of heart rhythm or early pacemaker implant in order to avoid fetal demise. FOIA Spatial and temporal immunoreaction of nestin, CD44, collagen IX and Flecainide versus digoxin for fetal supraventricular tachycardia: comparison of two drug treatment protocols. There are other rare types of fetal arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia, junctional tachycardia, and multiforcal atrial tachycardia [14]. Currently, ultrasound is the only widely used method of studying fetal anatomy and physiology, but it has significant limitations for assessment of cardiac rhythm. Gen. Ed Prof Ed. Refresher Rviews | PDF | Teachers | Leadership Updated. In the event of life-threatening fetal arrhythmia, direct fetal therapy with adenosine and amiodarone can be a last resort [34]. Role of Maternal Artifact in Fetal Heart Rate Pattern Interp - LWW To understand the significance of the FHR display, it is important to understand what the monitor can and cannot count. Arrhythmia most often refers to an irregular heartbeat, while dysrhythmia represents all types of abnormal heartbeats: the heartbeat can be too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia). In fetuses with short VA tachycardia, it may display a distinctive Doppler flow velocity pattern with a 1:1 AV conduction and a tall A wave superimposed on the aortic ejection wave. Crowley et al. 1986;8:14346. Moreover, heart function and congenital heart defects exaggerate the severity of congestive heart failure [15]. Fetal Arrhythmia - A Pediatric Cardiologist's Perspective | Webinar Download preview PDF. The aim of the present study is to discuss the complex and challenging issue concerning the prenatal evaluation and intrauterine therapeutics of fetal arrhythmias. ted. Bigeminy is a type of heart arrhythmia in which the heart beats once normally and once abnormally in quick succession, followed by a pause. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative, Over 10 million scientific documents at your fingertips. The intrauterine or neonatal mortality rate in hydropic fetuses treated with flecainide was much lower than that treated with digoxin (0% vs. 43%, P=0.06). Basically: The more you take care during the measurement, the lower the artifact probability! Circ J. Keywords: The choice of vertical and horizontal scaling directly affects the appearance of the FHR and uterine contraction tracings. In this article, the clinical diagnosis and treatment of fetal arrhythmias are presented, and advantages and disadvantages of antiarrhythmic agents for fetal arrhythmias are compared. Fetal heart rate and rhythm were measured by detecting semilunar and AV valve opening and closing points, A waves, plus ventricular wall motion. A case report. In the other, the instrument produced an incomprehensible record as a result of counting both maternal and fetal complexes. Individualized treatment and clinical treatment should be determined according to specific types. The overall incidence of malignant fetal arrhythmias, such as complete AV block and SVT, are relatively rare, found in 1:5000 pregnancies [5]. Fetal arrhythmias are a common phenomenon with rather complicated etiologies. Fetal arrhythmias. With such a system, both technical and logistic problems exist, such as catheter occlusion by solid matter, kinking or entrapment of catheter between the uterus and the fetus, as well as introduction of artifact secondary to maternal movement and catheter manipulation (, The pressure within the uterine cavity is directly proportional to the uterine wall tension and inversely proportional, Insertion of the uterine pressure catheter is accomplished by introducing it, while within the sterile introducer tube, just inside the uterine cervix and next to the presenting part (, Another modification of the intrauterine pressure catheter allows for amnioinfusion while simultaneously recording contraction strength directly (see, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), on Instrumentation and Artifact Detection Including Fetal Arrhythmias, Liability and Risk Management in Fetal Monitoring, Clinical Management of Abnormal Fetal Heart Rate Patterns, Alternative and Backup Methods to Improve Interpretation of Concerning FHR Patterns, Fetal Heart Rate Patterns Associated with Fetal Central Nervous System Dysfunction, Evaluation and Management of Fetal Heart Rate Patterns in Premature Gestation, Antepartum Management of the High-Risk Patient. Methods: A total of 500 echocardiography and NI-FECG recordings . Besides, sustained fetal arrhythmias predispose to the occurrence of hydrops fetalis, cardiac dysfunction, or even fetal demise [10]. 1988;60:5125. fetal arrhythmia vs artifactdiscretionary housing payment hackney. If the interface is moving, the reflected signal undergoes a frequency change (Doppler shift). The proposed study will allow the investigators to evaluate . PACscommon and not dangerous. Fetal direct intramuscular injection of digoxin with maternal amiodarone use is an effective alternative. M.G. HUM 100 Cultures and Artifacts Worksheet; Newest. The treatment of choices for fetal tachyarrhythmias was listed in Table2. This signal can then be used as a marker of the fetal heart beat as well as for the creation of fetal heart sounds produced by the monitor. The literature reporting on prenatal diagnosis and treatment of fetal arrhythmias published in the recent two decades were retrieved, collected and analyzed. Careers. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. All those with complete AV block by maternal autoantibodies positivity survived, but 42.8% needed a pacemaker. A Machine Learning Framework for Fetal Arrhythmia - SpringerLink Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Heart Failure. Arrhythmia vs. Dysrhythmia: Is There a Difference? - Healthline Fetal Diagn Ther. To remove noise and artifacts, the . Fetal Arrhythmia - American Pregnancy Association 2015;79:85461. It has been reported that short VA interval occurred in 67 fetuses (80%) and long VA in 17 (20%). Some artifact can mimic lethal dysrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia with brushing your teeth or ventricular fibrillation with tapping on the electrode. 2018;31:260510. Amiodarone is a second-line treatment, especially in hydropic fetuses with SVT [27]. The proposed framework uses only a single abdomen ECG. 2017;19:2325. The transplacental administration of antiarrhythmic agents, including digoxin, flecainide, sotalol, and amiodarone, is applied for fetal tachycardia in many centers [25]. These arrhythmias do not represent an expression of the physiological behavior of the ANS. In utero -stimulants were used in 13 (68.4%) cases and effective in 6 (31.6%). CAS It should be used with small doses cross the placenta [31]. The pulsed Doppler transducer alternates the emission of ultrasound waves with the reception of the reflected waves, resulting in a decrease in both the amount and time of exposure of the fetus to ultrasound energy. The modes of administration, intraumbilical, intraamniotic, intraperitoneal, intramuscular and intracardiac, have been selected as routes of administration. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-020-0785-9, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-020-0785-9. Antenatal antiarrhythmic treatment for fetal tachyarrhythmias: a study protocol for a prospective multicentre trial. Instrumentation and Artifact Detection Including Fetal Arrhythmias. Uterine tachsystole. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. As the train passes and moves away, both loudness and pitch rapidly decline. fetal arrhythmia vs artifact - waterfresh.gr Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. Fetal arrhythmias are diagnosed in 13% of pregnancies [1], and account for 1020% of the referrals to fetal cardiology [2]. The site is secure. to the conversion rate was high with the use of the first-line antiarrhythmic agents via the transplacental route. [23] reported that PACs required antiarrhythmic treatments with digoxin, verapamil, or both in 14% of the cases. The ability to distinguish one from the other requires knowledge of FHR and MHR characteristics and monitoring technology. Objective: To assess whether noninvasive fetal electrocardiography (NI-FECG) enables the diagnosis of fetal arrhythmias. fetal arrhythmia vs artifact. [54] described percutaneous transvenous intracardiac cardiac pacing performed in a case of fetal AV block via the fetal umbilical vein under ultrasound guidance. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) Complete Heart Block. Front Pediatr. by | Jun 10, 2022 | how to charge a kangvape without a charger | when do live oaks drop their leaves in florida | Jun 10, 2022 | how to charge a kangvape without a charger | when do live oaks drop their leaves in florida It is indicated for fetal long QT syndrome type 2 and complete AV block [45]. Tutschek B, Schmidt KG. The transient fetal bradycardia is benign and often need no fetal treatment. Miyoshi T, Maeno Y, Sago H, Inamura N, Yasukochi S, Kawataki M, et al. van der Heijden LB, Oudijk MA, Manten GT, ter Heide H, Pistorius L, Freund MW. Of these arrhythmias, 10% are considered potential sources of morbidity. Fetal Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Pharmacologic Management 5,6 Heart rates less than 100bpm are classified as bradycardia, and rates greater than 180bpm are identified as tachycardia. EKG Interpretation & Heart Arrhythmias Cheat Sheet - Nurseslabs As the fetal heart beats, closure of the valves may be detected by listening with a suitable stethoscope through the mothers abdominal wall. 1,6 Fetal . Chang HT, Li H. Short- and long-term clinical prognoses of various types of fetal arrhythmia. Ultrasound Med Biol. Successful in utero transesophageal pacing for severe drug-resistant tachyarrhythmia. Fetal Arrhythmia Detection Using Fetal ECG Signal This form of short-term memory is supported by the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and is believed to rely on the ability of selectively tuned pyramidal neuron networks to persist in firing even after a to-be-remembered stimulus is removed from the environment. Digoxin has been considered the first-line agent for the treatment of fetal SVT. HUM 100 Cultures and Artifacts Worksheet; Problem Set Week1 - Week One Assignment; 1-7 HW Key - Problems and answers . Fetal arrhythmias: premature atrial contractions and supraventricular tachycardia. Part of The high risks of perinatal demise was often associated with fetal hydrops, structural defects, poor ventricular function and HR <55bpm. 2008;31(Suppl 1):S503. This section will deal with the methodology involved in the clinical application of these techniques. In Europe, standard factors are 20 BPM/cm (vertical) and 1 or 2 cm/minute (horizontal). Premature contractions are the most common type of fetal arrhythmia, and the prognosis is good in the near and long terms, and fetal growth and development are not affected [55]. A transducer innovation employed by second-generation monitors is pulsed Doppler. Irregular fetal cardiac rhythm is the leading cause for referrals to fetal echocardiography centers for rhythm disturbances, and the vast majority of those are benign atrial ectopic beats. This technique can readily identify atrial and ventricular systoles, and measure the PR interval [17]. 2011;124:174754. Shah et al. Rev Med Suisse. The majority of fetal arrhythmias are premature contractions. 2009;29:68290. ____ denotes the spontaneous, rhythmic depolarization of cardiac cells. Maternal anti-SSA/SSB antibody positivity is another cause of fetal AV block. An arrhythmia is an irregular rhythm of the heart in which abnormal electrical signals through the heart muscle may cause the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia), or in an erratic pattern. Fetal PVCs were less common than PACs. Fetal arrhythmias: prenatal evaluation and intrauterine therapeutics, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-020-0785-9, https://radiopaedia.org/articles/fetal-premature-ventricular-contractions, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016597, http://medcraveonline.com/JCCR/JCCR-09-00322.php, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016597. The fetuses with benign arrhythmias, such as PACs <11 beats per minute (bpm) and sinusal tachycardias, did not need any treatment before or after birth, whereas those with postnatal arrhythmias associated with hemodynamic fluctuations require interventions, as they may lead to preterm delivery in some occasions [9]. The purpose of this study was to investigate Mller cells during the fetal development of the human eye. PubMed Central [52] analyzed 29 cases of fetal bradycardia with structural heart disease, including isomerism (n=22), corrected transposition of the great arteries (n=4), and critical pulmonary stenosis (n=3). Define an intervention o Document Portfolio - lists learning artifacts III. [39] documented response to sotalol (43%) or sotalol/digoxin (57%) as first-line treatment in 21 pregnancies. Would you like email updates of new search results? 2002;17:757. Epub 2012 Mar 22. The institutional Review Board and coauthor consent for publication. PACs are extra heartbeats that originate in the top of the heart and usually beat . Fetal bradycardias may occur in the presence of fetal hypoxia [48], associated congenital structural disorders [49], maternal connective tissue disorders [50], positivity of maternal SSA/Ro and/or SSB/La autoantibodies [50], or due to an unknown cause [51]. 1993;12:66971. The frequency increases if the reflecting interface is moving toward the signal source and decreases if the reflecting interface is moving away from the signal source. 2004;4:18594. Complete AV block occurred in 2.6% of fetuses with irregular cardiac rhythyms [47]. The heart [] 2008;4:17248. Fetal cardiac pacings are effective methods to restore sinus rhythm in drug-resistant or hemodynamically compromised cases. (From Klapholz H, Schifrin BS, Myrick R et . J Pract Obstet Gynecol. Fetal arrhythmias: prenatal evaluation and intrauterine therapeutics. Wacker-Gussmann A, Strasburger JF, Srinivasan S, Cuneo BF, Lutter W, Wakai RT. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Yaksh A, van der Does LJME, Lanters EAH, de Groot NMS. Fetal monitoring interpretation. TMJ. Hydrops fetalis resolved in 62.5% (5/8) fetuses, with a mean resolution time of 28.4days [42]. 1988;16:3944. Apply intervention and collect data o Process Portfolio - demonstrates steps on how IV. DeVore GR, Horenstein J. Alvarez A, Vial Y, Mivelaz Y, Di Bernardo S, Sekarski N, Meijboom EJ. It is believed that the circuit is completed through the fetal umbilical cord, placenta, and the maternal circulation and that the potential difference (voltage) being measured is between the two poles. 2018;31:40712. Pediatr Cardiol. Google Scholar. 2023 Feb 18;13(4):779. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13040779. Ueda K, Maeno Y, Miyoshi T, Inamura N, Kawataki M, Taketazu M, on behalf of Japan Fetal Arrhythmia Group, et al. The primary goal of fetal therapy is the prevention or resolution of hydrops. As the train approaches, the whistle gets both louder and higher in frequency. An example commonly used to describe the Doppler shift is the audible change in pitch (frequency) noticed by a stationary observer of the whistle from a rapidly moving train. First-line antiarrhythmic transplacental treatment for fetal tachyarrhythmia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Detection of fetal motion with Doppler signal is the same with both the older and newer monitors. The fetuses with corrected transposition of the great arteries or ventricular rate70bpm had a better survival rate. Calloe K, Broendberg AK, Christensen AH, Pedersen LN, Olesen MS, de Los Angeles Tejada M, et al. The two most common congenital heart defects associated with AV block are left atrial isomerism and discordant AV connection. Flecainide is highly effective in achieving sinus rhythm in hydropic and nonhydropic fetuses with SVT, refractory SVT or SVT with signs of heart failure. 2015;25:44753. 14,15 This may be achieved by: conversion to sinus rhythm; or ventricular rate control. Digoxin monotherapy showed a lower effective rate than combined digoxin and flecainide/sotalol for the treatment of fetal tachycardias (27.8% vs. 72.2%). What happens if my prenatal doctor hears a fetal heart arrhythmia The sustained PVCs may also resolve within 6weeks, and do not cause severe arrhythmias [24]. Digoxin, flecainide and sotalol can be the first-line treatments. By using Doppler ultrasound, simultaneous recording of the atrial and ventricular waves can be obtained. The FHR monitor acquires, processes, and displays an electronic signal. 2003;53:2869. The lead was connected to an asynchronous esophageal pacemaker. EFM certification Flashcards | Quizlet It is the process of signal conversion to FHR that differs. Article Strizek B, Berg C, Gottschalk I, Herberg U, Geipel A, Gembruch U. High-dose flecainide is the most effective treatment of fetal supraventricular tachycardia. Genetic studies have shown that GATA4, NKX2-5, TBX3, and TBX5 genes are responsible for cardiac structural development, whereas mutations of these genes may lead to congenital heart diseases and conduction disorders [6]. However, if the reflecting interface is the surface of a moving organ such as the fetal heart, there will be a frequency change (Doppler shift) in the reflected signal. Analyze data and . Hosono T, Kanagawa T, Chiba Y, Neki R, Kandori A, Tsukada K. Fetal atrial flutter recorded prenatally by magnetocardiography. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the The National Library of Medicine (NLM), on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world's largest biomedical library and the developer of electronic information services that delivers data to millions of scientists, health professionals and members of the public around the globe, every day. Rebelo M, Macedo AJ, Nogueira G, Trigo C, Kaku S. Sotalol in the treatment of fetal tachyarrhythmia. 8600 Rockville Pike Prenatal management with digoxin and sotalol combination for fetal supraventricular tachycardia: case report and review of literature. Fetal Arrhythmia - American Pregnancy Association A premature atrial contraction, or PAC, is by far the most common arrhythmia we see. Crowley DC, Dick M, Rayburn WF, Rosenthal A. Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic evaluation of fetal arrhythmia. Intensities of less than 100 mW/cm. It was regarded as a reentrant tachycardia through a fast-conducting AV accessory pathway. The impact of intrauterine treatment on fetal tachycardia: a nationwide survey in Japan. Carpenter RJ Jr, Strasburger JF, Garson A Jr, Smith RT, Deter RL, Engelhardt HT Jr. Fetal ventricular pacing for hydrops secondary to complete atrioventricular block. C. Umbilical vein compression. Comani S, Liberati M, Mantini D, Gabriele E, Brisinda D, Di Luzio S, et al. Transplacental administration of steroids, such as dexamethasone and betamethasone, are effective for fetal AV block caused by positive maternal autoantibodies. By detecting flow imaging frequency spectrum of the pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins, the pulse Doppler echocardiography can determine the rhythm changes between the spectra and the arrhythmic patterns. Fetal Arrhythmia: Diagnosis & Treatment - SSM Health van der Heijden LB, Oudijk MA, Manten GT, ter Heide H, Pistorius L, Freund MW. 25 with slight . 2004;24:1127. Article Fetal arrhythmia is an abnormal fetal heartbeat or rhythm. Stirnemann et al. Abstract. Fetal heart arrhythmias and doppler ultrasound. Digoxin is more suitable for rhythm conversion of fetal AF and SVT in fetuses free of hydrops fetalis, while sotalol shows better effects for those with hydrops fetalis. Sotalol, flecainide and amiodarone are used as second-line drugs when digoxin fails to achieve conversion to sinus rhythm. For fetuses with hydrops, the placental transfer of the digoxin is limited. In addition, the actual signal created by the fetal cardiac motion is greatly affected by the position and movement of the transducer with respect to the fetus. Fetal atrial flutter (AF) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) resemble in terms of the effects of intrauterine therapies. Christoffels VM, Moorman AF. PACs are usually benign and often resolve spontaneously, but follow-up is necessary for preventing from developing into ventricular tachycardia [22]. Effectiveness of sotalol as first-line therapy for fetal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. The prevalence of rapid fetal arrhythmia, especially SVT, is relatively high, accounting for 0.40.6% of all fetuses. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. Evaluation of fetal heart rate artifacts, hemodynamics and digoxin PubMed Pharmacological therapy of tachyarrhythmias during pregnancy. The conversion rate to sinus rhythm of flecainide for short VA SVT was higher than digoxin (96% vs. 69%, P=0.01). [39], 135days (median 7.5days) for van der Heijden et al. Immediate appointments are often available. 2013;42:28593. J Obstet. 1,7. Fetal complete AV block with structural heart disease often shows a worse prognosis, such as fetal demise or pacemaker implant requirement. Respondek et al. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. These extra beats try to signal the AV node, which sometimes works (called "conducted") and sometimes does not (called . Arrhythmia. Early delivery and direct ventricular pacing is a reasonable option when the fetal heart rate decreases progressively and hydrops fetalis develops in the presence of fetal AV block [15]. It is within this group of rhythm disturbances that the majority of fetal . What is Sinus Rhythm with Supraventricular Ectopy? Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Sotalol as an effective adjunct therapy in the management of supraventricular tachycardia induced fetal hydrops fetalis. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. It connects to the Corometrics 259cx Series . Novii Wireless Patch System - GE Healthcare PubMed Most are brief, fleeting occurrences of slow or fast heartbeat or irregular heart rhythm. Donofrio MT, Gullquist SD, Mehta ID, Moskowitz WB. J Perinat Med. Arrhythmia artifact - National Library of Medicine Search Results Alsaied T, Baskar S, Fares M, Alahdab F, Czosek RJ, Murad MH, et al. The main drawback to phonocardiographically derived FHR systems is that they are extremely sensitive to ambient noise such as maternal bowel sounds, voices in the room, certain air-conditioning systems, and, especially, noise produced by any motion of the microphone or of the bed clothing against the microphone. Strasburger JF. Capuruo et al. 2022 Jun 13;13:935455. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.935455. 2016;32:3528. In long VA tachycardia, an A wave of normal amplitude with normal AV time interval could be detected in front of the aortic ejection wave [16]. Diagnosis and management of fetal bradyarrhytmias. . Prenat Diagn. 2013;42:28593. fetal arrhythmia vs artifact - tutanc.org In fetuses with premature contractions, fetal echocardiogram is useful for cardiac structural and functional assessments, and for disclosing the mechanisms of fetal isolated PACs and multiple ectopic beats [21]. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. Article (PDF) Human-Centered Digitalization and Services - academia.edu California Privacy Statement, Moreover, fetal cardiac arrhythmias can have an effect on FHR signals. Fetal Arrhythmias | Obgyn Key Digoxin is praised for its safety and efficacy, but maternal higher doses are required to maintain a therapeutic serum level especially in the presence of hydrops fetalis [31]. FETAL HEART RATE DERIVED BY DIRECT (INTERNAL) FETAL ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY. 2017;7:e016597. Appropriate clinical measures should be taken into consideration with regard to outcomes and prognosis. . 2018;122:A20644. on Biom. J Obstet Gynaecol India. Keywords . Cardiac arrhythmias and artifacts in fetal heart rate signals: detection and correction. 2000;11:117. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. Yellow Raft unfolds with a distinctive rhythm as the reader moves backwards and forwards in time, encountering first the story of Rayona, then the story of her mother Christine, and finally the story of Aunt Ida, whose real relationship to the first two becomes one of the novels more powerful revelations. Lecture 11 Fetal Complications Stages of Labor Assessments Variations for NB Maternity Meds Medication Hints Psych Tips Operational Stages . With the evolution of autocorrelation in many of the newer monitors, great advances have been made in both signal quality and continuity. The time to conversion to sinus rhythm for sotalol varied from 1 to 5days (median 1day) for Shah et al. Flecanide and sotalol cross the placental barrier easier, especially in hydropic fetuses, and a higher drug concentration can be achieved in the amniotic fluid. Sustained fetal arrhythmias that predispose to the occurrence of hydrops fetalis, cardiac dysfunction or eventual fetal demise require active treatments. The normal heart rate for a fetus is anywhere between 120 and 160 beats per minute.This is a rare condition, occurring in only 1-2% of pregnancies, and is normally a temporary, benign occurrence. Detection of some dropped or extra beats (arrhythmia) is fairly common, occurring in 1 to 2 percent of pregnancies.
