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Postgrad Med J 2005;81:292-298 doi:10.1136/pgmj.2004.026625
  • Review

Congenital heart disease in pregnancy

  1. C E G Head,
  2. S A Thorne
  1. Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Birmingham, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr C Head
 GUCH Office, 5th Floor Jules Thorn Building, The Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London W1N 8AA, UK; cathy.headuclh.nhs.uk
  • Received 9 August 2004
  • Accepted 6 September 2004

Abstract

Congenital heart disease is now more prevalent than acquired in pregnancy in the developed world. In pregnancy the fall in systemic vascular resistance and increase in blood volume and cardiac output can cause functional deterioration in certain conditions. A minimally symptomatic woman with good ventricular function, normal oxygen saturation, and no left heart obstruction should tolerate pregnancy well. Women with pulmonary hypertension or dilated aortic root (pre-replacement) should be counselled against pregnancy and given appropriate contraceptive advice. The optimum management of a pregnant woman with a metallic prosthetic valve remains to be determined.

Footnotes

  • Funding: none.

  • Competing interests: none.

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