Cardio-Obstetrics: An Emerging Field to Improve Maternal Mortality

With steadily rising maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States, there is an urgent need to address the root causes. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal deaths, many of which are preventable. Hemodynamic changes of pregnancy include significant increases in cardiac output, blood volume, and heart rate, as well as changes in systemic vascular resistance and increased oxygen consumption. This hemodynamic stress can unmask previously subclinical cardiovascular disease and contribute to complications, including arrhythmias, hypertensive disorders, heart failure, and ischemic events.
Source: Cardiology Clinics - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Preface Source Type: research