Prenatal diagnosis of ventriculocoronary arterial fistula in a fetus with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and aortic atresia.

Abstract

In a fetus with a hypoplastic left heart syndrome detected at 26 weeks' gestation, a communication between the left ventricular cavity and the left coronary artery was detected using color Doppler. Bidirectional flow was demonstrated and the ventricle was shown to be filled via the fistula during diastole. After premature birth at 31 weeks and neonatal death, autopsy confirmed the findings. Because the association of a heart defect with ventriculocoronary communications worsens the neonatal prognosis, it should be ruled out in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome before parents are counseled.