OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the prenatal features and clinical outcome of fetal cardiac aneurysms (CA) and cardiac diverticula (CD). METHODS: Retrospective single center study reporting on antenatal findings and interventions and clinical outcome of fetuses with CA or CD are assessed in a ten year's period. RESULTS: Thirteen CA and 16 CD identified, mostly located at the cardiac apex. The average size of the CA was significantly larger than that of the CD (223.2 ± 84.4 vs 80.6 ± 57.9 mm(2) , respectively; p < 0.05). The bulge longitudinal strain, systolic strain rate, and diastolic strain rate in CA were significantly lower compared with CD (respectively, -12.9 ± 3.7 vs -20.0 ± 5.4% for strain and -1.3 ± 0.4 vs -2.0 ± 0.5 s(-1) for the systolic strain rate, 1.2 ± 0.4 vs 1.9 ± 0.4 s(-1) for the diastolic strain rate; all p < 0.05). CA coincided more frequently with arrhythmia and CD more frequently with pericardial effusion (p < 0.05). Adverse outcomes were more likely in children with CA [83.3% (5/6) vs 8.3% (1/12), respectively, p < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Fetal cardiac aneurysms and diverticula are two distinct entities with different morphology and outcome. An isolated fetal CA has a less favourable outcome than fetal CD.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the prenatal features and clinical outcome of fetal cardiac aneurysms (CA) and cardiac diverticula (CD). METHODS: Retrospective single center study reporting on antenatal findings and interventions and clinical outcome of fetuses with CA or CD are assessed in a ten year's period. RESULTS: Thirteen CA and 16 CD identified, mostly located at the cardiac apex. The average size of the CA was significantly larger than that of the CD (223.2 ± 84.4 vs 80.6 ± 57.9 mm(2) , respectively; p < 0.05). The bulge longitudinal strain, systolic strain rate, and diastolic strain rate in CA were significantly lower compared with CD (respectively, -12.9 ± 3.7 vs -20.0 ± 5.4% for strain and -1.3 ± 0.4 vs -2.0 ± 0.5 s(-1) for the systolic strain rate, 1.2 ± 0.4 vs 1.9 ± 0.4 s(-1) for the diastolic strain rate; all p < 0.05). CA coincided more frequently with arrhythmia and CD more frequently with pericardial effusion (p < 0.05). Adverse outcomes were more likely in children with CA [83.3% (5/6) vs 8.3% (1/12), respectively, p < 0.01]. CONCLUSION:Fetal cardiac aneurysms and diverticula are two distinct entities with different morphology and outcome. An isolated fetal CA has a less favourable outcome than fetal CD.