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Cardiac disease in pregnancy

Surabhi Nanda1, Catherine Nelson-Piercy, Lucy Mackillop

  • 1Women's Health, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Clinical Medicine (London, England)
|January 25, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac disease is a major cause of maternal death in the UK. This review covers common heart conditions in pregnancy, emphasizing multidisciplinary care for better maternal and fetal outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Obstetrics
  • Maternal Health

Background:

  • Cardiac disease is the primary cause of maternal mortality in the UK.
  • Key contributors include cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, and aortic dissection.
  • Rheumatic heart disease is re-emerging due to increased migrant populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review common cardiac conditions during pregnancy.
  • To outline antenatal and intrapartum management strategies.
  • To highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of cardiac conditions in pregnancy.
  • Discussion of management protocols for various cardiac diseases.
  • Emphasis on collaborative care between obstetricians, cardiologists, and anesthesiologists.

Main Results:

  • Pregnancy poses significant physiological challenges for women with heart disease.
  • Uncorrected congenital heart disease and prosthetic valves complicate pregnancies.
  • Multidisciplinary care is essential for managing maternal and fetal well-being.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management requires a coordinated team approach.
  • Planning for delivery, whether elective or emergency, is crucial.
  • This review provides guidance on managing pregnant women with cardiac conditions.

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