Key result
First-trimester embryonic arrhythmia is linked to ~100% subsequent pregnancy loss.
Why the study?
The prognostic significance of cardiac arrhythmia detected in the first trimester of pregnancy was unclear.
Does embryonic arrhythmia detected in the first trimester predict pregnancy loss?
Observational (n=950)
Does embryonic arrhythmia detected in the first trimester predict pregnancy loss?
Detection of embryonic arrhythmia between 6 and 9 weeks of gestation is strongly associated with subsequent first-trimester pregnancy loss.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic significance of cardiac arrhythmia detected in the first trimester. DESIGN: Cases in which embryonic arrhythmia was detected by transvaginal ultrasound between 6 and 9 weeks of gestation were retrospectively identified and reviewed. RESULTS: Embryonic arrhythmia was noted in four of 950 ultrasound examinations. There was associated ventricular bradycardia in three cases, one of which also had an atrial rate below the normal range for gestational age. No cardiac activity was detected at the follow-up examination 1 week later in three cases. In the other, the embryo was alive but there was severe growth delay and the scan the following week confirmed embryonic death. CONCLUSION: This report suggests that arrhythmia in early pregnancy is associated with subsequent pregnancy loss.
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Vaccaro et al. (1998) conducted an observational in Early pregnancy (n=950). Embryonic arrhythmia was evaluated on Pregnancy loss. Embryonic arrhythmia detected in the first trimester was universally associated with subsequent pregnancy loss, occurring in all 4 identified cases out of 950 ultrasound examinations.
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