RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Flecainide in the treatment of fetal tachycardias.
JF British Heart Journal
JO Heart
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society
SP 46
OP 48
DO 10.1136/hrt.65.1.46
VO 65
IS 1
A1 L D Allan
A1 S K Chita
A1 G K Sharland
A1 D Maxwell
A1 K Priestley
YR 1991
UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/65/1/46.abstract
AB Fourteen mothers were treated with flecainide for fetal atrial tachycardias associated with intrauterine cardiac failure. Twelve of the 14 fetuses responded by conversion to sinus rhythm. One of the 12 fetuses subsequently died in utero. The remaining fetuses suffered no morbidity and were alive and well 3 months to 2 years after delivery. The two fetuses in whom atrial tachycardia did not convert with flecainide were successfully treated with digoxin. These results compare favourably with previous forms of antiarrhythmic treatment. After recent reports of the side effects of flecainide treatment, however, it has been advised that this drug should be confined to high risk patients and those with life threatening arrhythmias. The use of flecainide for fetal arrhythmias should be limited to patients with severe fetal hydrops and supraventricular tachycardias. It should not be the first drug of choice in atrial flutter.