Post-partum maternal bradycardia: A case series and literature review

Unlike tachyarrhythmias, which are common in pregnancy, there is a paucity of data regarding maternal bradycardias. Our objective was to describe the characteristics, associated conditions, and prognosis of women who develop bradycardia post-partum.

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients referred to the Obstetrical Medicine service at British Columbia Women's Hospital from January 2012 to May 2020 for post-partum maternal bradycardia.

Twenty-four patients with post-partum bradycardia were included (age 34.2  ±  4.8 years; heart rate 40.4  ±  8.1 beats per minute; blood pressure 131/72 mm Hg). Sinus bradycardia (79.2%) was the most common rhythm. Dyspnea (29.4%) and chest pain (23.5%) were common symptoms. Mean time to resolution of bradycardia was 3.6  ±  3.8 days. Associated conditions potentially explaining the bradycardia were preeclampsia (54.1%), underlying (16.7%), medications (8.3%), and neuraxial anesthesia (8.3%).

Maternal bradycardia is an uncommon condition complicating the post-partum period, that is generally self-limiting, with the majority only require clinical observation.