CTD

The normal heart is divided into four chambers, two atria: right and left, and two ventricles: right and left. Blood normally passes from the atria to the ventricles, and then to the lungs and the rest of the body. A CTD occurs when a membrane divides the right atrium into two compartments. This membrane can hinder the passage of blood from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

There is an alteration in the normal development of the right atrium; the origin of this alteration is unknown. CTD is a rare cardiac anomaly that occurs during intrauterine life (representing less than 0.1%-0.4% of all congenital heart anomalies).

The CTD can be associated with important anomalies in the heart, including a small right ventricle, which can cause severe symptoms in the baby at birth and requires surgery. If there are no heart defects associated with CTD, it does not imply any major risk to the pregnancy or the baby.

Should I have more tests done?

• It is important to perform a fetal echocardiography - a specialized ultrasound of the baby's heart during pregnancy, which aims to assess whether there is any associated cardiac abnormality.
• Follow-up ultrasounds will be performed during pregnancy to assess the evolution of the pathology.
• There are no known associations between CTD and extracardiac anomalies, genetic syndromes and chromosomal abnormalities. Your caregiver might refer you to genetic counseling, to discuss your options for further genetic investigation.