Sotalol as an effective adjunct therapy in the management of supraventricular tachycardia induced fetal hydrops fetalis

Refaat, M., El Dick, J., Sabra, M., Bitar, F., Tayeh, C., Abutaqa, M., Arabi, M.* | JNPM 2020;

Abstract.

Sustained fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) complicated by hydrops fetalis carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. While there is no clear consensus on first- and second-line therapy options for the management of fetal SVT with or without hydrops fetalis, there exists significant nonrandomized experience with a number of antiarrhythmic agents that has founded the basis for management. Furthermore, recently published meta-analyses and ongoing multicenter prospective studies have aimed to bridge the gap in the literature. We report two cases of sustained fetal SVT with severe secondary hydrops fetalis managed successfully with flecainide-sotalol combination therapy in one case and sotalol-digoxin combination therapy in the second and review the literature for the management of fetal SVT.

*Corresponding Author: 

Mariam Arabi, MD, Pediatrician, Pediatric Cardiologist, Director of In and Outpatient clinical services, Head, Fetal Heart Program – Children’s Heart Center American University of Beirut Medical Center Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, 11-0236, Lebanon. Tel.: 00961 1 374 374/ Ext: 5872/5881/5889; Fax: 00961 1 370 781; E-mail: ma81@aub.edu.lb.