Prenatal demonstration of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries with tetralogy of fallot and pulmonary atresia

Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries were prenatally demonstrated in a case of tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia (TOF-PA). Color Doppler and pulsed Doppler ultrasonography revealed abnormal arteries arising directly from the descending aorta. An aortogram after birth confirmed two collateral arteries arising from the descending aorta and one from the left subclavian artery. Fetal echocardiography was essential for the diagnosis of TOF-PA, but further examination was needed to find collateral arteries, which provided useful information for management after birth. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.