Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025
Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System
Published on: April 11, 2025
Ivabradine-sensitive incessant atrial tachycardia during pregnancy: a case report
Johanna B Tonko1,2, Hannah Douglas1,2, Matthew J Wright1,2
1Department of Cardiology, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK.
Background:
Automaticity is the dominant mechanism in maternal focal atrial tachycardia (FAT) during pregnancy and if incessant, can cause tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Medication failure for FATs is common, however, for the subgroup due to increased automaticity ivabradine sensitivity has been described and may represent a valuable treatment option. Little data are available regarding the safety profile of ivabradine during pregnancy.
Case Summary:
We report the case of a 38-year-old woman with background of peripartum cardiomyopathy and incessant atrial tachycardia with deteriorating ventricular function during her second pregnancy unresponsive to betablockade and demonstrating the immediate successful rate-controlling effect of ivabradine.
Discussion:
Early recognition of persistent maternal FAT is essential due to its frequent association with tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy. Our case report highlights the challenges of providing an equally safe and effective treatment of these notoriously difficult to treat arrhythmias during pregnancy. Ivabradine in combination with a betablocker can be effective for abnormal automaticity but its safety profile during pregnancy remains uncertain.
