Fetal tachycardia complicates 1-2% of pregnancies, and a large percentage of these arrhythmias are supraventricular. Sustained fetal tachycardia can have serious complications for the fetus, including cardiovascular failure, nonimmune fetal hydrops, and fetal death. Management of fetal tachycardia depends on multiple factors. Here we present three different cases of fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and their management at a single institution.
Case 1 is a 25-year-old G2P1001 who presented at 30 weeks with the incidental finding of fetal SVT. Prolonged monitoring showed non-sustained fetal SVT, and no medical intervention was initiated. Case 2 is a 26-year-old G3P1102 who presented with sustained fetal SVT at 26 weeks. Treatment with digoxin was initiated with eventual resolution of the tachycardia. Case 3 is a 26-year-old G1P0 who presented at 28 weeks with sustained fetal SVT resulting in fetal hydrops. Multiple medication regimens were used in an attempt to control the rhythm.
Fetal SVT can result in serious fetal complications and may require varying treatments depending on the presentation.