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New onset ventricular tachycardia during pregnancy
A C Braverman1, B S Bromley, J D Rutherford
1Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
International Journal of Cardiology
|December 1, 1991
Summary
A previously healthy woman experienced sustained ventricular tachycardia during pregnancy. The arrhythmia resolved postpartum but recurred later, suggesting pregnancy may influence arrhythmia development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Obstetrics
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a serious arrhythmia.
- Pregnancy can precipitate various cardiovascular changes.
- The relationship between pregnancy and VT is not well understood.
Observation:
- A young, previously healthy woman developed symptomatic sustained VT during pregnancy.
- Cardiac evaluation showed mitral valve prolapse with minimal regurgitation.
- Left ventricular size and function were normal.
Findings:
- The sustained VT resolved spontaneously after delivery.
- Nonsustained VT recurred nine months postpartum.
- Electrophysiologic study confirmed nonsustained VT; propafenone was initiated.
Implications:
- Pregnancy may play a role in the pathogenesis of ventricular tachycardia.
- Further research is needed to understand pregnancy-associated arrhythmias.
- This case highlights the importance of cardiac monitoring during pregnancy.