Annular Indentation of the Ventricles in a Stillborn: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background

Idiopathic indentation of the cardiac ventricles in a fetus has not been previously reported. Reported cases of congenital ventricle indentation are either caused by pericardial abnormalities or myocardial defects. Case report: We describe an incidental finding of annular indentation of the lower part of both ventricles in a stillborn male. The fetus was well-developed and the cause of stillborn was pronounced cord entanglement twice around the neck. Conclusion: Circumferential indentation of ventricles is distinguished from constrictive pericarditis and other myocardial defects as histologically the three layers of endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium are intact.

Keywords:

• congenital cardiac malformation
• fetal heart anomalies
• indentation of the ventricles
• incidental cardiac finding
• annular constriction of the myocardium