1. Valvular heart disease in pregnancy.
- Author
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Windram JD, Colman JM, Wald RM, Udell JA, Siu SC, and Silversides CK
- Subjects
- Female, Heart Valve Prosthesis, Humans, Preconception Care, Pregnancy physiology, Heart Valve Diseases physiopathology, Heart Valve Diseases therapy, Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular physiopathology, Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular therapy, Prenatal Care
- Abstract
In women with valvular heart disease, pregnancy-associated cardiovascular changes can contribute to maternal, foetal and neonatal complications. Ideally, a woman with valvular heart disease should receive preconception assessment and counselling from a cardiologist with expertise in pregnancy. For women with moderate- and high-risk valve lesions, appropriate risk stratification and management during pregnancy will optimise outcomes. Pregnancy in women with high-risk lesions, such as severe aortic stenosis, severe mitral stenosis and those with mechanical valves, requires careful planning and coordination of antenatal care by a multidisciplinary team. The purpose of this overview is to describe the expected haemodynamic changes in pregnancy, review pregnancy risks for women with valvular heart disease and discuss strategies for management., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)
- Published
- 2014
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