How to Use Cardiovascular Imaging in Pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Pregnancy involves significant physiological changes impacting cardiovascular function.
• Cardiovascular imaging is crucial for managing heart disease in pregnancy but faces interpretation challenges.
• Existing guidelines lack a comprehensive, cardiology-focused framework for imaging in pregnant patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a practical, cardiology-focused framework for cardiovascular imaging in pregnant patients.
• To guide cardiac imagers on modality selection, protocols, and interpretation.
• To address challenges posed by physiological adaptations during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and guidelines on cardiovascular imaging in pregnancy.
• Emphasis on transthoracic echocardiography as first-line and cardiovascular magnetic resonance as complementary.
• Discussion of radiation-based imaging limitations and optimization strategies.

Main Results:

• Transthoracic echocardiography is the primary imaging modality.
• Cardiovascular magnetic resonance provides radiation-free assessment for specific cases.
• Ionizing radiation imaging is reserved for acute/high-risk situations with minimized fetal exposure.

Conclusions:

• A structured approach to cardiovascular imaging is essential for pregnant patients.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration within Pregnancy Heart Teams is crucial.
• This framework supports safe, accurate, and evidence-informed cardiac imaging during pregnancy.