Prenatal diagnosis of idiopathic stenosis of the ductus arteriosus associated with fetal atrial flutter.

Antenatal stenosis or closure of the ductus arteriosus unrelated to either congenital heart defects or prostaglandin inhibitors is considered to be uncommon, but may result in congestive heart failure, hydrops fetalis, and perinatal death. We report a case of idiopathic ductal stenosis detected prenatally by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in a fetus presenting atrial flutter and right atrial dilatation at 31 weeks of gestation. Prenatal treatment with digoxin and verapamil resulted in conversion to sinus rhythm. The fetus was closely monitored. Congestive heart failure did not develop, and the fetus was delivered spontaneously in good condition at 39 weeks of gestation. In case of ductal stenosis, the potential risk of congestive heart failure must be considered, and maternal administration of drugs with constrictive effects on the ductus arteriosus, as indomethacin or betamethasone, should be avoided.