Prosthetic heart valves and arrhythmias in pregnancy. 2007

Gregory A L Davies, and William N P Herbert
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's University, Kingston ON, Canada.

The majority of women with bioprosthetic valves do not require anticoagulation during pregnancy. In women with mechanical valves, a detailed discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the three anticoagulant options (warfarin, unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin) is indicated. The majority of women with arrhythmias during pregnancy have a benign increased rate of atrial or ventricular premature beats. Those women who are hemodynamically stable can be reassured and do not usually require treatment. Women with more ominous arrhythmias should be managed in collaboration with a cardiologist, usually using the same agents that would be chosen in the non-pregnant patient, including electrical cardioversion when necessary. This is the fifth and final article in a series reviewing in detail the assessment and management of specific cardiac disorders in pregnancy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011249 Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular The co-occurrence of pregnancy and a cardiovascular disease. The disease may precede or follow FERTILIZATION and it may or may not have a deleterious effect on the pregnant woman or FETUS. Cardiovascular Pregnancy Complications,Complications, Cardiovascular Pregnancy,Pregnancy, Cardiovascular Complications,Cardiovascular Pregnancy Complication,Complication, Cardiovascular Pregnancy,Pregnancies, Cardiovascular Complications,Pregnancy Complication, Cardiovascular
D004554 Electric Countershock An electrical current applied to the HEART to terminate a CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA. Cardiac Electroversion,Cardioversion,Defibrillation, Electric,Electroversion, Cardiac,Electrical Cardioversion,Electroversion Therapy,Therapy, Electroversion,Cardiac Electroversions,Cardioversion, Electrical,Cardioversions,Cardioversions, Electrical,Countershock, Electric,Countershocks, Electric,Defibrillations, Electric,Electric Countershocks,Electric Defibrillation,Electric Defibrillations,Electrical Cardioversions,Electroversion Therapies,Electroversions, Cardiac,Therapies, Electroversion
D005260 Female Females
D006349 Heart Valve Diseases Pathological conditions involving any of the various HEART VALVES and the associated structures (PAPILLARY MUSCLES and CHORDAE TENDINEAE). Heart Valvular Disease,Valvular Heart Diseases,Disease, Heart Valvular,Heart Disease, Valvular,Heart Valve Disease,Heart Valvular Diseases,Valve Disease, Heart,Valvular Disease, Heart,Valvular Heart Disease
D006350 Heart Valve Prosthesis A device that substitutes for a heart valve. It may be composed of biological material (BIOPROSTHESIS) and/or synthetic material. Prosthesis, Heart Valve,Cardiac Valve Prosthesis,Cardiac Valve Prostheses,Heart Valve Prostheses,Prostheses, Cardiac Valve,Prostheses, Heart Valve,Prosthesis, Cardiac Valve,Valve Prostheses, Cardiac,Valve Prostheses, Heart,Valve Prosthesis, Cardiac,Valve Prosthesis, Heart
D006495 Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin fractions with a molecular weight usually between 4000 and 6000 kD. These low-molecular-weight fractions are effective antithrombotic agents. Their administration reduces the risk of hemorrhage, they have a longer half-life, and their platelet interactions are reduced in comparison to unfractionated heparin. They also provide an effective prophylaxis against postoperative major pulmonary embolism. LMWH,Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin,Low Molecular Weight Heparin,Heparin, Low Molecular Weight
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000889 Anti-Arrhythmia Agents Agents used for the treatment or prevention of cardiac arrhythmias. They may affect the polarization-repolarization phase of the action potential, its excitability or refractoriness, or impulse conduction or membrane responsiveness within cardiac fibers. Anti-arrhythmia agents are often classed into four main groups according to their mechanism of action: sodium channel blockade, beta-adrenergic blockade, repolarization prolongation, or calcium channel blockade. Anti-Arrhythmia Agent,Anti-Arrhythmia Drug,Anti-Arrhythmic,Antiarrhythmia Agent,Antiarrhythmia Drug,Antiarrhythmic Drug,Antifibrillatory Agent,Antifibrillatory Agents,Cardiac Depressant,Cardiac Depressants,Myocardial Depressant,Myocardial Depressants,Anti-Arrhythmia Drugs,Anti-Arrhythmics,Antiarrhythmia Agents,Antiarrhythmia Drugs,Antiarrhythmic Drugs,Agent, Anti-Arrhythmia,Agent, Antiarrhythmia,Agent, Antifibrillatory,Agents, Anti-Arrhythmia,Agents, Antiarrhythmia,Agents, Antifibrillatory,Anti Arrhythmia Agent,Anti Arrhythmia Agents,Anti Arrhythmia Drug,Anti Arrhythmia Drugs,Anti Arrhythmic,Anti Arrhythmics,Depressant, Cardiac,Depressant, Myocardial,Depressants, Cardiac,Depressants, Myocardial,Drug, Anti-Arrhythmia,Drug, Antiarrhythmia,Drug, Antiarrhythmic,Drugs, Anti-Arrhythmia,Drugs, Antiarrhythmia,Drugs, Antiarrhythmic
D000925 Anticoagulants Agents that prevent BLOOD CLOTTING. Anticoagulant Agent,Anticoagulant Drug,Anticoagulant,Anticoagulant Agents,Anticoagulant Drugs,Anticoagulation Agents,Indirect Thrombin Inhibitors,Agent, Anticoagulant,Agents, Anticoagulant,Agents, Anticoagulation,Drug, Anticoagulant,Drugs, Anticoagulant,Inhibitors, Indirect Thrombin,Thrombin Inhibitors, Indirect

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