Managing Heart Disease in Pregnancy

Abstract

Cardiac disease is an important cause of mortality in pregnancy. It has the potential to remain undiagnosed and may present with cardiovascular decompensation during pregnancy, at the time of delivery, or immediately postpartum. It can have long-term implications to the life of the affected women and their families. This review summarises the current knowledge of the incidence, prevalence, and management of pregnancy-related cardiovascular disease in women presenting preconceptionally or during pregnancy.

Keywords

• cardiomyopathy
• management
• peripartum
• preconceptional counselling
• pregnancy
• valvular diseases.