An arrhythmia is a disturbance in the normal rhythm of the heart. Heart rhythms are generated by the sinoatrial (SA) node and travel through the heart’s conduction system, causing the atrial and ventricular myocardium to contract and relax at a regular rate. If there is a disturbance in the electrical system of the heart, it can be detected in utero by using M-mode sonography. It is important to diagnose a fetal arrhythmia early in pregnancy. If the arrhythmia persists, it can lead to congestive heart failure and hydrops.
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