Abstract
Fetal heart failure is mainly caused by congenital heart defect and arrhythmia. It is difficult to appropriately diagnose the severity of fetal heart failure simply by ultrasonography because the development of a fetal heart in fetoplacental circulation and how well the fetal myocardium can adapt to postnatal cardiopulmonary circulation are challenging to assess. In adult cardiology, natriuretic peptides (NPs) are the most useful biomarker of heart failure; however, studies investigating NP levels in the fetuses and amniotic fluid are quite limited. Furthermore, little is known about their production and metabolism. This review summarized the most relevant findings on NP levels in the umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid. The findings can then extend their use as a diagnostic biomarker of heart failure in fetuses with congenital heart defect and/or arrhythmia.
Highlights
Prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital heart defects (CHDs) is critical to predict the need for emergent postnatal interventions and facilitates a more rapid stabilization of postnatal circulation (Levey et al, 2010; Holland et al, 2015)
The placenta and umbilical vessels may be the major sites of atrial natriuretic peptides (NPs) (ANP) metabolism
Plasma NP levels in the umbilical cord blood reflect the severity of heart failure in fetuses with CHD and/or arrhythmia
Summary
Prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital heart defects (CHDs) is critical to predict the need for emergent postnatal interventions and facilitates a more rapid stabilization of postnatal circulation (Levey et al, 2010; Holland et al, 2015). Our previous study showed that plasma NP levels in the umbilical cord blood were correlated with the severity of heart failure in fetuses with CHD and/or arrhythmia (Miyoshi et al, 2018b; Table 1). The plasma concentrations of atrial NP (ANP), brain NP (BNP), and N-terminal fragment of pro-brain NP (NT-proBNP) in the umbilical cord blood had similar profiles in heart failure.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
