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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
28:13
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Atrial fibrillation in pregnancy
Lt Angela DiCarlo-Meacham1, Lcdr Joshua Dahlke
1From the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|January 22, 2011
Summary
Pregnancy can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Lone atrial fibrillation in pregnancy, though rare, requires thorough evaluation and electrical cardioversion as the primary treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Physiologic changes during pregnancy increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncommon in pregnancy, typically associated with pre-existing cardiac conditions.
Observation:
- A pregnant woman at 22 weeks gestation presented with new-onset atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular response.
- Comprehensive evaluation ruled out underlying causes for the atrial fibrillation.
Findings:
- Lone atrial fibrillation in pregnancy necessitates excluding all potential etiologies.
- Electrical cardioversion is the preferred treatment for this condition.
Implications:
- Management of persistent atrial fibrillation in pregnancy includes anticoagulation, rate control, and fetal monitoring.
- This case highlights the importance of a systematic approach to diagnosing and managing arrhythmias during gestation.
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