Fetal intracardiac transfusions in patients with severe rhesus isoimmunisation.

Abstract

Six patients with pregnancies of 19-31 weeks' duration showing evidence of erythroblastosis fetalis were treated with 25 fetal intracardiac blood transfusions. Complications related to the procedure occurred on five occasions in three patients. In two of the six patients the fetus died, but it was unlikely that death was related to the intracardiac transfusions. Fetal intracardiac blood transfusion may result in potentially severe complications but offers an alternative when transfusion cannot be performed into the umbilical cord.

• Authors: M Westgren, A Selbing, M Stangenberg
• Journal: British medical journal (Clinical research ed.) (Br Med J (Clin Res Ed)) Vol. 296 Issue 6626 Pg. 885-6 (Mar 26 1988) ISSN: 0267-0623 [Print] England
• PMID: 3129060 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine (adverse effects, methods)
• Erythroblastosis, Fetal (etiology, therapy)
• Female
• Heart
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Outcome
• Rh Isoimmunization (complications)