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Heart Failure in the Fetus with Congenital Heart Disease

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Heart Failure in Congenital Heart Disease:

Abstract

The cardiovascular system before birth is a unique, dynamic and complex organ system. In the fetus, physiological manifestations of the failing heart differ from that seen in the adult, child or infant for a number of reason. First, biological phenomena prior to birth can vary based on maturational changes that take place during different periods of gestation. Second, the diseases and ailments that afflict the fetal heart are of a different nature than that seen after birth and are unique to the developing human fetus. Finally, complex interactions take place between the developing fetus, its richly vascularized placenta and the supportive maternal circulation, creating a fascinating interplay of physiologies between the maternal mature and fetal immature systems.

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Correspondence to Jack Rychik .

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Thacker, D., Rychik, J. (2010). Heart Failure in the Fetus with Congenital Heart Disease. In: Shaddy, R. (eds) Heart Failure in Congenital Heart Disease:. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-480-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-480-7_1

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