11:25 AM - 11:55 AM
[II-IL-04] Congenital Heart Block in the fetus: should we strive for fetal pacing?
Congenital complete heart block is very rare. It may be immune mediated, related to structural heart disease or occur in a structurally normal heart in the absence of maternal auto antibodies. The majority of cases of isolated complete heart block however are related to maternal anti Ro and La abtibodies. Functional abnormalities can occur and injury beyond the AV node can also occur, which have negative impact on the outcome.
Significant mortality and morbidity have been associated with CHB diagnosed both prenatally and postnatally. Various therapeutic options and strategies have therefore been advocated for use before birth in order to improve the outcome. However, to date, no trial of any of these therapies has had sufficient power to prove efficacy. The role of therapy to date therefore remains controversial. This poses the question of whether fetal pacing might be the answer and whether this might be a treatment option for the future and whether its development should be pursued.
Significant mortality and morbidity have been associated with CHB diagnosed both prenatally and postnatally. Various therapeutic options and strategies have therefore been advocated for use before birth in order to improve the outcome. However, to date, no trial of any of these therapies has had sufficient power to prove efficacy. The role of therapy to date therefore remains controversial. This poses the question of whether fetal pacing might be the answer and whether this might be a treatment option for the future and whether its development should be pursued.