All issues > Volume 45(7); 2002

Case Report

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2002;45(7):928-932. Published online July 15, 2002.

A Case of Neonatal Atrial Flutter Treated by Propafenone after Fetal Echocardiographic Diagnosis

Kyung Hwa KH Lee¹, Chang Woo CW Ha¹, Chul Ho CH Kim¹, Min Seob MS Song¹, Moon Su MS Sung²

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea

Correspondence Min Seob MS Song ,Email: msped@netian.com

Abstract

Perinatal atrial flutter is a potentially lethal arrhythmia. Management of this disorder is difficult and controversial. Fetal atrial flutter is a serious and life threatening rhythm disorder particulary when it causes hydrops; it may be associated with fetal death or neurological damage. Although the initial episode of flutter may be difficult to control, recurrence of atrial flutter after successful resolution of the arrhythmia seems highly unlikely and long-term prognosis is excellent. We experienced a case of a atrial flutter diagnosed in utero at 38＋6 weeks' gestation by fetal cardiac echocardiography. He was treated with maternal digoxin, but he continued to have atrial flutter until delivery. Restoration of sinus rhythm occured with propafenone therapy in this patient after failure of initial digoxin therapy and direct current cardioversion.

Keywords :Neonatal atrial flutter, Fetal echocardiography, Propafenone