First name
Lindsay
Middle name
Atherton
Last name
Edwards

Title

Controversy About a High-Risk and Innovative Fetal Cardiac Intervention.

Year of Publication

2018

Date Published

2018 Aug 10

ISSN Number

1098-4275

Abstract

<p>A 20-week-old fetus was diagnosed with critical pulmonary valve stenosis. Given the ultrasound findings, the outcome was difficult to predict. The fetal cardiologists discussed the possibility of a pulmonary valvuloplasty (an experimental procedure) with the parents, wherein the fetal right ventricle would be punctured with a long 18G needle, and through it, a wire advanced across the pulmonary valve, allowing for balloon dilation of the valve. The experimental procedure had been performed at a handful of centers. There were some reports of success. The parents sought an opinion at one of the referral centers that had tried the procedure. The doctors there recommended against it. The doctors at the original center were unsure whether they should try the procedure. The parents wanted it. In this ethics rounds, doctors and the parents discuss the arguments for and against a high-risk, innovative in utero procedure.</p>

DOI

10.1542/peds.2017-3595

Alternate Title

Pediatrics

PMID

30097527

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