Acardiac twin

Abstract

Acardiac twin is a rare complication of monozygotic twin pregnancies occurring in 1% of monochorionic twin gestations with an incidence of 1 in 35,000 births. Without treatment, the perinatal mortality of the pump twin is about 50-70%. The optimal management of acardiac twin pregnancies is controversial. Management options include elective termination, observation with close antepartum surveillance (serial cardiotocography, ultrasonography and echocardiography) and surgical interventions.