Heart failure in pregnancy: an overview

• Published in: International journal of clinical practice (Esher) Vol. 65; no. 8; pp. 848 - 851
• Main Authors: Ahmad, W. A. Wan, Khanom, M., Yaakob, Z. H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2011; Wiley-Blackwell; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Clinical medicine; Counseling - methods; Delivery, Obstetric - methods; Early Diagnosis; Female; General aspects; Heart; Heart failure; Heart Failure - diagnosis; Heart Failure - physiopathology; Heart Failure - therapy; Heart failure, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, cardiac enlargement; Hemodynamics; Humans; Maternal & child health; Medical sciences; Postnatal Care - methods; Preconception Care - methods; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - physiopathology; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - therapy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prenatal Care - methods; Prenatal Diagnosis - methods; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Pregnancy; Human; Heart failure; Medicine; Heart disease; Cardiovascular disease; Female; Review; Woman
• ISSN: 1368-5031; 1742-1241
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2011.02714.x

Summary The treatment of heart failure in pregnant women is more difficult than in non‐pregnant women, and should always involve a multidisciplinary team approach. Knowledge required includes hemodynamic changes in pregnancy and the resultant effect on women with pre‐existing or pregnancy‐related cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular drugs in pregnancy, ethical issues and challenges regarding saving mother and baby. In addition, women having high risk cardiac lesions should be counselled strongly against pregnancy and followed up regularly. Pregnancy with heart failure is an important issue, demanding more comprehensive studies.