Outcome of Aneurysmal Septum Primum with Non-restrictive Foramen Ovale in Fetuses with Structurally Normal Hearts: A Tertiary Center Experience

Abstract

The aim of this analysis was to study the postnatal short-term outcome of cases with aneurysmal septum primum (ASP) and non-restrictive foramen ovale in otherwise structurally normal hearts. This is a retrospective review of fetuses with ASP referred between 2016 and 2018 to the University Hospital of Cerrahpasa, Department of Fetal Cardiology for cardiac scanning. Prenatal and postnatal clinical features and outcomes for each case were ascertained from the departmental database and from individual clinical hospital records. We presented twenty-four cases which also had postnatal echocardiographic examination in our hospital. At the time of diagnosis of ASP, the mean maternal age was 31.1 +/- 5.7 years, the mean gestational age was 28.9 +/- 5.9 weeks, the mean birth week was 37.4 +/- 3.1 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 2940.8 +/- 736.6 g. The postnatal first 3 months prevalences of atrial septal aneurysm, patent foramen ovale and, secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) were 12.5%, 12.5%, 20.8% among fetuses with ASP, respectively. ASP may persist after birth and may increase the frequency of secundum ASD. These data suggest that fetuses with ASP should be followed by a pediatric cardiologist in postnatal life.