Role of ductus venosus agenesis in right ventricle development

Abstract

Ductus venosus agenesis (DVA) results from portal-umbilical and hepatic-systemic venous system connection failure. Despite a large series of DVA was reported, an accurate description of single fetus cardiac trend with hemodynamic consequences is missing. We describe two fetuses with DVA early detection, comparing right ventricle (RV) development in extrahepatic and intrahepatic drainages. In extrahepatic drainage, the RV was larger and slightly hypertrophic. In intrahepatic drainage, the RV showed reduced dimensions. Ventricle dimension differences decreased and became balanced in perinatal period. Detection of non-balanced ventricles in early second trimester should lead to sonographic follow-up. If DVA is hypothesized, it is important to identify other subdiaphragmatic connections that could alter cardiac preload and ventricle development.

Keywords:

• Ductus venosus agenesis
• ventricles development
• intrahepatic drainage
• extrahepatic drainage
• prenatal

Ethical statement

The study conforms to the ethical guidelines of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.