Doppler echocardiographic diagnosis of intrauterine closure of the ductus arteriosus

Abstract

A case of in utero closure of the ductus arteriosus was detected by Doppler echocardiography at 31 weeks of gestation. It presented as a non-hydropic distressed fetus with ultrasound detection of tricuspid regurgitation. Pulsed Doppler ultrasound showed markedly decreased blood flow through the tricuspid and pulmonary valves and absent blood flow at the ductus arteriosus. These, as well as the resultant increased right-to-left shunting across the foramen ovale, were reaffirmed by colour flow mapping.