Successful outcome after prenatal treatment of a cardiac diverticulum with massive pericardial effusion

Abstract

Congenital ventricular cardiac diverticula are rare. They may occur prenatally in association with a pericardial effusion which, if large enough, can compromise fetal circulatory and lung development. Parental counseling is difficult because some cases resolve in the second trimester and others progress to worsening hydrops and intrauterine death. We present a case associated with a massive pericardial effusion that had a good outcome after successful pericardiocentesis relatively late in gestation considering the time of critical pulmonary development. We also review similar cases presented in the literature and discuss management options.