Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System
Published on: May 5, 2018
Valvular heart disease and pregnancy
1Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, JHOC 7262, Baltimore, MD 21287-0960, USA. ttraill@jhmi.edu
Abstract:
Among women with valvular heart disease, those with mitral stenosis carry the greatest potential for problems during pregnancy. Asymptomatic women with aortic stenosis and only mild or moderate left ventricular outflow obstruction generally tolerate pregnancy well, as do those with regurgitant lesions. In Marfan syndrome, pregnancy should not be undertaken if the aortic root dimension exceeds 4 cm. Even if the aortic root is normal, a small increased risk of dissection is present. Women with well-functioning bioprosthetic valves and normal hemodynamics may safely undertake a pregnancy, although bioprostheses deteriorate rapidly in young people.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Valve Prolapse III: Nursing Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Heart Valves
The AV valves prevent the backflow of blood from the ventricles to the atria during ventricular contraction. These valves function with the assistance of the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. When the ventricles are relaxed, the chordae tendineae are slack, allowing blood to flow from the atria into the...
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

