[Acardiac fetus--morphological and clinical aspects]

Abstract

The authors described 6 cases of serious complication of the multiple pregnancies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) sub form twin reverse arterial perfusion (TRAP) with development of acardiac fetus. It was established that this anomaly is an extremely rare complication of multiple pregnancies and very uncommon congenital malformation disclosed in fetuses and newborns. Acardiac "recipient" fetuses may have different morphological forms and often their birth weight is higher than that of the "donor" fetuses. The latter represent morphologic features of circulatory overload due to the necessity of supplying blood to the amorphous acardiac fetus. They are usually born preterm with circulatory insufficiency, intrauterine hypoxia and with developmental anomalies. Survival of one of the "donor" fetus implies the necessity of early diagnosis to detect pregnancy pathology, possible intrauterine intervention and monitoring of the healthy twin.