Fetal intracardiac interventions are performed in our center since the year 2000. Curretly we have performed more than 100 fetal intracardiac procedures, technical success rate is 80%. We offer interventions for the following indications:

• Critical aortic stenosis
• Critical pulmonary stenosis or pulmonary atresia with intact septum
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome with severely restrictive or closed intra-atrial septum

Not all patients with these heart defects qualifiy for an in-utero intervention, a detailed fetal echocardiogram is necessary to assess if all necessary criteria are met for an individual patient.

How is this procedure performed?

A sharp needle is advanced through the maternal abdomen into the amniotic cavity and through the fetal thorax into a cardiac chamber.  A cardiac catheter is then inserted inside this needle and positioned across the narrowed cardiac valve. This catheter carries an inflatable balloon at its tip, which will be inflated several times to dilate this valve. Afterwards balloon-catheter and needle will be removed carefully. The procedure is monitored only by 2D Ultrasound, no laparotomy will be performed. The mother receives general anesthesia, the fetus will be anesthetized via the mother and needs no extra medication.

What are the costs?

For Austrian patients and patients from the EU there are no extra costs. Costs for patients from EU countries are covered by their respective insurance. An E112 form has to be requested from the respective insurance company. Together with the referral from the physician and a certification from our center regarding acceptance of treatment and date of admission all costs will be covered then.

For a cost-estimate please contact:

P +43 (0)5 7680 84 - 22406
martina.wurm@kepleruniklinikum.at

In the case of a possible referral please contact:

Gerald Tulzer MD
P +43 (0)5 7680 84 - 24700
gerald.tulzer@kepleruniklinikum.at