Absence of the ductus venosus: report of 10 new cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Our results and the review of literature suggest that absence of the ductus venosus is associated with a high incidence of fetal anomalies and adverse outcomes, including associated malformations, chromosomal aberrations, in utero heart failure and absence of the portal vein. Heart failure and absence of the portal vein seem particularly frequent when absence of the ductus venosus is associated with a connection of the umbilical vein to either the inferior vena cava or the right atrium.