Prenatal diagnosis of fetal right and left congenital ventricular aneurysms.

AIM

To describe the ultrasonographic appearance of fetal ventricular aneurysm.

METHODS

Ultrasound characteristics of two cases of prenatally diagnosed fetal ventricular aneurysm were reviewed.

RESULTS

There was one case of left ventricular aneurysm diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound at 38 weeks of gestation. Another case of fetal right ventricular aneurysm was diagnosed prenatally at 36 weeks of gestation. Both the babies expired in the immediate post-natal period.

CONCLUSION

Congenital ventricular aneurysm is a rare cardiac malformation characterized by protrusion or out pouching of a portion of the ventricular wall. It is important to differentiate an aneurysm from diverticulum, as the latter has favorable prognosis. The aneurysms are usually large and have broad-based communication with the ventricular cavity in contrast to diverticuli, which are small and connected by a narrow base.