Doppler Echocardiographic Findings of Indomethacin-Induced Occlusion of the Fetal Ductus Arteriosus

Abstract

We present an unusual case of indomethacin-induced occlusion of the fetal ductus arteriosus, which occurred in one of twins. In fetal echocardiography, the characteristic findings, a to and fro regurgitation pattern at pulmonary valve and postvalvular dilation of the main pulmonary artery, were obtained in addition to right ventricular dilation and hypertrophy, tricuspid regurgitation, right atrium dilation, and pericardial effusion. This fetus developed fetal distress and was delivered by an emergency cesarean section at 35 weeks' gestation. We suggest that these fetal echocardiographic findings may be the end-stage signs of the fetal ductal occlusion as well as the signs for emergent delivery.