ABSTRACT
Fetal cardiac tumors are relatively rare pathologies, representing 0.02% to 0.13% of cases in fetal cardiac series.1-3 Over the past two decades, with advances in ultrasound technology and experience, there has been a substantial improvement in their prenatal detection. The majority of fetal cardiac tumors are identified in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.1,3,4-8 Although the diagnosis of a particular tumor is best confirmed by pathological examination, most can be suspected on the basis of specific anatomical features typically defined by echocardiography that include its location, its echogenicity relative to the surrounding myocardium, whether it is well circumscribed or amorphous, homogeneous or heterogeneous, sessile or pedunculated, single or multiple, or whether there are associated arrhythmias or pericardial effusion. While many tumors are benign, some can result in significant obstruction of ventricular inflows and outflows or general cardiac compression causing the evolution of fetal heart failure/hydrops and even fetal demise, or the need for surgical intervention in the neonatal period. Others may be associated with fetal arrhythmias or conduction abnormalities that can also contribute to cardiovascular compromise. Table 36.1 summarizes more commonly detected fetal cardiac tumors, the characteristics of the tumor, and associated cardiac and extracardiac pathologies.
