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Abnormal Fetal Heart Outflow Tract C5826882

Published: July 22, 2026Updated: August 25, 2026

A condition where the major blood vessels leading out of the heart develop abnormally in a fetus. It is severe and requires careful monitoring during pregnancy and typically needs surgical correction after birth.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial TeamLast reviewed August 25, 2026Editorial policy

Key facts at a glance

ICD-10
I78.0
ICD-11
BA00.0
Body system
cardiovascular
Severity
severe
Chronic
true

Signs and symptoms

Common signs and symptoms that may indicate this condition.

Warning signs - seek immediate care

!

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and fingernails due to insufficient oxygen in the blood.

Seek immediate medical attention if cyanosis appears suddenly or worsens, as this indicates critical oxygen deprivation.

!

Hypotension

Abnormally low blood pressure indicating poor cardiac output and circulatory compromise.

This is a medical emergency; seek immediate emergency care if infant shows signs of shock or collapse.

Dyspnea

(respiratory)

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially during feeding or physical activity.

Frequency: 75-90% of patients

Heart Murmur

(cardiovascular)

Abnormal sound heard during heartbeat due to turbulent blood flow through abnormal heart structures.

Frequency: 80-95% of patients

Failure to Thrive

(constitutional)

Inadequate weight gain and growth due to increased metabolic demands and poor feeding tolerance.

Frequency: 60-75% of patients

Tachypnea

(respiratory)

Abnormally rapid breathing rate as the body compensates for reduced oxygen delivery.

Frequency: 65-80% of patients

Poor Feeding

(gastrointestinal)

Difficulty with feeding, fatigue during feeding, or reduced intake due to respiratory distress and fatigue.

Frequency: 55-70% of patients

Fatigue

(constitutional)

Extreme tiredness and low energy levels, especially during feeding or activity.

Frequency: 50-65% of patients

Digital Clubbing

(dermatologic)

Rounding and enlargement of fingertips and toes, with abnormal nail bed curvature.

Frequency: 10-20% of patients

Diagnosis and tests

How this condition is diagnosed and what test results mean.

Initial screening tests

1

Standard diagnostic workup

Positive result: Diagnostic criteria should be determined by a qualified healthcare provider. [Content pending medical review.]

Test results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare provider. [Content pending medical review.]

Treatment options

Evidence-based approaches to managing this condition.

First-line treatments

1

Disease management and monitoring

Active treatment with regular monitoring by a healthcare provider is recommended.

medication
2

Targeted Fetal Echocardiography

Specialized cardiac ultrasound focused on evaluating outflow tract abnormalities, valve function, and great vessel architecture with precise measurements.

monitoring
3

Fetal Balloon Valvuloplasty

In utero catheter-based procedure to relieve critical obstruction in the outflow tract, potentially allowing improved cardiac development.

procedure

Additional treatment options

Maternal Prostaglandin Inhibitors

Careful use of medications to maintain ductal patency when outflow obstruction may compromise fetal circulation.

medication

EXIT Procedure for Delivery

Ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure maintaining placental circulation while securing airway or initiating cardiac stabilization.

surgical

Corrective Cardiac Surgery

Definitive surgical repair of outflow tract abnormalities performed after birth when the infant is medically stable.

surgical

When to seek medical help

Recognize when you need immediate medical attention.

See a doctor within 24 hours

Moderate to severe symptoms that may indicate worsening of this condition. Prompt medical evaluation is recommended.

Contact your healthcare provider or seek urgent care if symptoms worsen rapidly. Go to the emergency department for life-threatening symptoms.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about this topic.

Q

What is Abnormal Fetal Heart Outflow Tract C5826882?

Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical information about this condition. [Content pending medical review.]

general

Sources and references

Authoritative medical sources used to create this content.

1

International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): performance of the mid-trimester fetal anatomy scan. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2023;61(1):127-143.

guideline2023View source →
2

American Heart Association. 2023 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Congenital Heart Disease in Adults. Circulation. 2023;147(4):e1-e48.

guideline2023View source →
3

Donofrio MT, Moon-Grady AJ, Hornberger LK, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of fetal cardiac disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2014;129(21):2183-2242.

review2014View source →
4

European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. Recommendations for fetal cardiac imaging. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2022;23(7):e1-e33.

guideline2022View source →
5

Friedberg MK, Silverman NH, Moon-Grady AJ, et al. Prenatal detection of congenital heart disease. J Pediatr. 2020;216:215-230.

review2020View source →
6

Liu H, Zhou J, Feng QL, et al. Fetal echocardiography for detecting congenital heart disease: a meta-analysis. Prenat Diagn. 2019;39(7):507-516.

meta_analysis2019View source →
7

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. AIUM Practice Guideline for the Performance of Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations. J Ultrasound Med. 2020;39(1):167-175.

position_statement2020View source →
8

Tworetzky W, McElhinney DB, Reddy VM, et al. Improved surgical outcome after fetal diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries. Circulation. 2015;131(9):837-846.

clinical_trial2015View source →
9

Allan LD, Cook AC, Huggon IC. Fetal Echocardiography: A Practical Guide. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press; 2022.

textbook2022View source →
10

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. SMFM Clinical Guideline #6: Screening for fetal cardiac anomalies. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;219(4):B2-B6.

consensus2018View source →

Medication Comparisons

Compare medications used to treat Abnormal Fetal Heart Outflow Tract C5826882. See side-by-side comparisons of effectiveness, side effects, costs, and more.

View Medication Comparisons

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 25, 2026. · Read our editorial policy