291.1 ð é«åžçç
291.1.0.1 ð äžé éé»
291.1.0.1.1 Pregnancy CV Physiology
291.1.0.1.1.1 Hemodynamic Changes
- Plasma volume â 40-50% (peak 28-32 weeks)
- Red cell mass â 20-30% â âphysiologic anemia of pregnancyâ (dilutional)
- Cardiac output â 30-50% (HR â 10-20 + SV â)
- Heart rate â 10-20 bpm
- SVR â 20% (progesterone, vasodilation, placental shunt)
- SBP â slightly mid-pregnancy, returns to baseline near term
- DBP â 5-10 mmHg mid-pregnancy
- Pulmonary capillary wedge unchanged or slightly elevated
291.1.0.1.1.2 Timing of Peak Stress
- 28-32 weeks: maximal blood volume + CO
- Labor & delivery: massive hemodynamic swings (CO â 30-50% with each contraction)
- Immediate postpartum (1-2 weeks): âauto-transfusionâ + diuresis â also high risk
291.1.0.1.2 Risk Stratification â mWHO
291.1.0.1.2.1 Modified WHO Classification
| Class | Risk | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I | No increase | Uncomplicated, repaired/small CHD; mitral valve prolapse without sig MR; pulmonic stenosis mild; SVT |
| II | Small increase | Unrepaired ASD/VSD; repaired TOF; SVT untreated |
| II-III | Intermediate | Mild LV impairment; HCM; mod MS; native or tissue valve; uncomplicated coarctation; Marfan without aortic dilation; aorta < 45 mm |
| III | Significantly increased | Moderate LV dysfunction; previous PPCM without LV recovery; mechanical valve (anticoag risk!); systemic RV; Fontan; cyanotic CHD; complex valve disease; Marfan with aorta 40-45 mm |
| IV | AVOID PREGNANCY | Pulmonary HTN (any cause); Eisenmenger; severe PAH; severe systemic LV dysfunction (EF < 30%); previous PPCM with persistent LV dysfunction; severe MS; severe symptomatic AS; native severe AS regardless of symptoms; coarctation severe; Marfan with aorta > 45 mm; aortic dilation > 50 mm with BAV |
291.1.0.1.3 Pre-Pregnancy Counseling
- Risk assessment with mWHO
- Maternal + fetal risk discussion
- Optimize cardiac status BEFORE pregnancy
- Medication review (substitute teratogens)
- Genetic counseling for heritable CHD
- Vaccinations (flu, pneumococcal, COVID, RSV, Tdap)
- Contraception options:
- Avoid combined OCP in many CV diseases (clotting risk)
- LARC (IUD, implant) preferred
- Barrier methods
- Sterilization in mWHO IV
291.1.0.1.4 Pregnancy-Associated CV Conditions
291.1.0.1.4.1 Preeclampsia / Eclampsia
- Hypertensive disorder after 20 weeks gestation
- Definition: BP ⥠140/90 + proteinuria (or end-organ damage)
- Severe: SBP ⥠160 or DBP ⥠110 + symptoms (HA, vision changes, RUQ pain, low platelets, AKI, LFTs)
- Eclampsia: seizures
- HELLP: Hemolysis, â LFT, â Platelets
- Risk factors: 1st pregnancy, age extremes, obesity, DM, multiple gestation, prior preeclampsia, autoimmune (APS, SLE)
- Treatment:
- Magnesium sulfate for seizure prophylaxis (4-6 g IV â 1-2 g/h)
- BP control: labetalol IV / nifedipine PO / hydralazine IV (target SBP < 160, DBP < 110)
- Delivery is definitive
- Future CV risk: 2-4x â for CVD later in life
291.1.0.1.4.2 Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM)
- Definition: HF developing late pregnancy (last month) to 5 months postpartum
- Normal heart pre-pregnancy, LVEF < 45%
- Incidence: 1 in 1,000-4,000 deliveries
- Risk factors: African American (4-10x higher), multiparity, age > 30, multiple gestation, HTN, preeclampsia
- Pathophysiology: prolactin fragment + sFlt-1 + angiogenic imbalance â endothelial injury, myocyte damage
- Treatment:
- Standard HF therapy + adjustments for pregnancy/postpartum:
- Loop diuretics (PO/IV; avoid spironolactone/eplerenone during pregnancy)
- β-blocker (carvedilol, bisoprolol post-delivery; metoprolol during)
- Hydralazine + isosorbide nitrate (instead of ACEi/ARB during pregnancy)
- Post-delivery: ACEi/ARB safe
- Bromocriptine (prolactin inhibitor): controversial; some trials show benefit (BOARDER 2017, Hilfiker-Kleiner)
- Anticoagulation: LV thrombus risk, especially if EF < 35% â LMWH/UFH first trimester, warfarin OK 2nd-3rd
- Cardiac MRI for LV function, fibrosis
- Standard HF therapy + adjustments for pregnancy/postpartum:
- Outcomes: 50% recover LV function; 50% donât; mortality 6-25%
- Future pregnancy: contraindicated if persistent LV dysfunction; possible if full recovery (still risk of recurrence 30-50%)
291.1.0.1.4.3 Aortic Dissection
- Pregnancy â risk (estrogen, â CO, hormone-related aortic wall changes)
- Marfan, BAV, vEDS, prior dissection
- Aortic dilation > 4.5 mm risk
- 50% in 3rd trimester / postpartum
- Treatment: same as non-pregnant (esmolol, surgery)
- Prevent: pre-pregnancy aortic repair if root > 4.5 mm + Marfan
291.1.0.1.4.4 Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
- 1-4% of all MI in pregnancy
- Most often peripartum / postpartum
- LAD / circumflex common
- Conservative management preferred (do NOT routinely PCI; high re-dissection risk)
- Avoid stress testing during recovery
- AC/AP cautious
291.1.0.1.4.5 Pulmonary Embolism
- Pregnancy 5-10x â risk for VTE
- Treatment: LMWH preferred (no placental crossing); switch to UFH around delivery
- DOACs NOT used in pregnancy
- 6-week postpartum extension at minimum
291.1.0.1.4.6 Mechanical Valve Thrombosis
- Pregnancy â highest risk during 1st trimester or post-warfarin switch
- Warfarin teratogenic 1st trimester â LMWH (weight-adjusted) often used
- Strict anti-Xa monitoring
- Some protocols: warfarin in 2nd-3rd trimester then LMWH near delivery
- High-risk: bridge to delivery
291.1.0.1.4.7 Arrhythmias in Pregnancy
- SVT, PVC, AF can occur (LA stretch)
- VT possible (esp with structural heart disease)
- Treatment:
- Vagal maneuvers + adenosine (SVT)
- β-blocker (metoprolol) â first-line in pregnancy
- Digoxin safe
- Amiodarone AVOID (fetal thyroid, neurologic)
- Cardioversion safe in unstable
- Ablation deferred if possible; lead-shielded if needed
291.1.0.1.4.8 Valvular Heart Disease in Pregnancy
- MS (rheumatic): poorly tolerated; LA dilation + AF + pulmonary edema
- β-blocker for HR control
- PMBV during pregnancy if severe symptoms (Wilkins †8)
- AS (severe): poorly tolerated; pre-load dependent
- Avoid pregnancy if severe / symptomatic
- Avoid spinal/epidural (sudden afterload drop)
- MR / AR: usually well-tolerated (afterload drop helps)
- Bicuspid AV + aortic root: monitor with echo
291.1.0.1.5 Medications in Pregnancy
291.1.0.1.5.1 Safe / First-Line
- β-blocker: labetalol, metoprolol (avoid atenolol â IUGR)
- Methyldopa (HTN, especially mild)
- Nifedipine ER (HTN, tocolysis)
- Hydralazine (acute HTN, chronic add-on)
- Digoxin (rate control)
- Adenosine (SVT)
- LMWH (anticoagulation)
- Aspirin low-dose (preeclampsia prevention in high-risk)
- Diuretics: loop diuretics OK if needed; avoid spironolactone
291.1.0.1.5.2 Contraindicated / Avoid
- ACEi / ARB: fetal renal failure, oligohydramnios; teratogenic (esp 2nd-3rd trimester)
- MRA (spironolactone, eplerenone): anti-androgen effects on fetus
- Aliskiren: direct renin inhibitor â contraindicated
- Warfarin 1st trimester: warfarin embryopathy (chondrodysplasia, nasal hypoplasia); use LMWH bridge
- DOAC (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, dabigatran): cross placenta â avoid
- Statins: AVOID (CDC reversal 2021 â some say possibly OK in select; controversy)
- Atenolol: IUGR risk
- Amiodarone: fetal thyroid, neurologic
- ETRs (bosentan, ambrisentan, macitentan): teratogenic â REMS program
- Riociguat: contraindicated
- Sotatercept: avoid
291.1.0.1.6 Labor and Delivery Considerations
291.1.0.1.6.1 General Principles
- Vaginal delivery preferred for most cardiac patients (less hemodynamic stress)
- Cesarean for obstetric indications or specific cardiac (aortic dissection risk, Marfan with severe dilation, severe pulmonary HTN)
- Multidisciplinary planning: OB, cardiology, anesthesia, neonatology
- Early epidural to reduce pain-induced catecholamine surge
291.1.0.1.6.2 Specific
- Eisenmenger: cesarean elective at 32-34 weeks for maternal optimization; high mortality
- Mechanical valve: AC management around delivery (UFH preferred peripartum)
- AS severe: avoid hypotension; spinal/epidural carefully
- Marfan: epidural OK; consider cesarean if aorta > 4.0-4.5 mm
- PPCM: full HF management
291.1.0.2 𩺠åºé鿥
- Pregnancy physiology: blood volume â 40-50%, CO â 30-50%, SVR â 20%; peak stress 28-32 wk + L&D + first 2 wk postpartum
- mWHO 4 (é¿å): Eisenmenger, severe PAH, severe AS, single vent, Marfan aorta > 45 mm, EF < 30%, severe MS
- PPCM: HF in last month preg to 5 mo postpartum; bromocriptine controversial; LMWH if EF < 35%
- Hypertensive disorders: preeclampsia â magnesium for seizure prophylaxis; labetalol/nifedipine/hydralazine for BP; delivery definitive
- Anticoag in mechanical valve: LMWH 1st trimester â warfarin 2nd-3rd â UFH/LMWH around delivery
- Avoid: ACEi/ARB/MRA/aliskiren/atenolol/amiodarone/statins/ETAs/DOAC/warfarin 1st trimester