Arrhythmia causes the fetal heart to beat over 200 times per minute

On December 9, MSc.BS.CKII Cao Thi Thuy Ha, Deputy Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanoi French Hospital, said this was a case of Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT). This condition is rare in pregnancy but has many potential dangerous complications such as fetal heart failure, fetal edema (fluid retention) or forcing early termination of pregnancy.

The patient is 23 years old, managed her pregnancy at the hospital from the first days and is in stable health. However, at the 32 week mark, ultrasound results recorded an irregular fetal heart rate. The monitor then determined that the fetal heart was beating abnormally fast, exceeding the threshold of 200 times per minute.

Immediately after diagnosis, the obstetric team had an urgent consultation with cardiovascular specialists. Doctors decided to treat the mother medically by giving the mother medication (transplacental therapy). The medicine will pass through the placenta to control the heart rate of the baby in the womb. Throughout this process, the mother’s health is closely monitored.

The treatment regimen responded well. By the 36th week of pregnancy, ultrasound showed that the fetal heart function was normal and the heart rate returned to a stable physiological threshold.

At 40 weeks of pregnancy, the woman did not show signs of natural labor, so the doctor prescribed a labor induction balloon. The birth usually goes smoothly. The born baby was immediately transferred to the Pediatrics department for intensive cardiovascular monitoring. Postpartum examination results showed that the baby was completely stable, had no signs of arrhythmia and did not require additional medication.

Dr. Ha assessed the success of the case thanks to early detection of abnormalities through routine ultrasound and timely coordination between specialties. Doctors recommend that pregnant women need to follow a regular check-up schedule. Early detection of abnormalities helps doctors have appropriate intervention plans, ensuring the mother has a healthy baby.