Cardiovascular contraindications to pregnancy

Cardiovascular contraindications to pregnancy Short Notes Abstract: In general, obstructive lesions and severe cyanotic lesions are poorly tolerated in pregnancy while regurgitant lesions and left to right shunts without pulmonary hypertension are well tolerated. Pregnancy is associated with several hemodynamic changes. As term advances there is increase in heart rate and cardiac output while the peripheral resistance falls in pregnancy. Blood volume also increases in pregnancy and there is a sudden increase in blood volume after delivery when the placenta separates and pushes the blood from the maternal aspect back into circulation. Some of the important cardiovascular contraindications to pregnancy are: Severe pulmonary hypertension Severe obstructive valvular lesions Severe cyanotic congenital heart disease Marfan syndrome with dilated aorta In severe pulmonary hypertension, the demand for increase in cardiac output with pregnancy cannot be met and the individual may develop low cardiac output state and right heart failure. Severe mitral stenosis in pregnancy has a high risk of development of pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema can also occur soon after delivery at the time of placental separation due to the extra volume load from release of blood stored in the maternal aspect of the placenta. The increase in heart rate in pregnancy is also deleterious in mitral stenosis as the shortened diastole decreases the left atrial emptying and consequently increases the left atrial...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Cardiovascular contraindications to pregnancy Marfan syndrome with dilated aorta Severe cyanotic congenital heart disease Severe obstructive valvular lesions severe pulmonary hypertension Source Type: blogs