Maternal permanent bradycardia: pregnancy and delivery

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Obstetrics
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Permanent bradycardia, a condition of abnormally slow heart rate, can affect women of reproductive age.
• Understanding the impact of bradycardia on pregnancy is crucial for maternal and fetal well-being.

Observation:

• Six women with permanent bradycardia, without myocardial involvement, were studied.
• Four patients were asymptomatic; two experienced Adams-Stokes attacks requiring pacemakers.

Findings:

• These six women completed 18 pregnancies resulting in 15 normal infant deliveries.
• All patients maintained asymptomatic status (functional capacity 1) throughout pregnancy and delivery.

Implications:

• Pregnancy and delivery are feasible for women with permanent bradycardia.
• Outcomes are comparable to healthy women, but associated myocardial disease increases risk and necessitates vigilant monitoring.