top of page

5 points about cardiovascular emergencies in pregnancy. Part 2

1. Supraventricular tachycardia: Vagal maneuvers first, then intravenous adenosine,  Consider IV metoprolol. Electrical cardioversion is safe at any gestation. Place the pads sterno-apically and monitor the fetal heart rate. New atrial fibrillation is uncommon and warrants a structural workup.

​

2. Acute aortic syndrome: Think about this in cases of connective tissues disorders (Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome,  Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), Turner syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve. Risk generally rises with aortic diameter; above 50 mm in bicuspid disease, pregnancy is high risk. Imaging ie CT scan should not be delayed.

​

3. Mechanical heart valves: This is a high group in pregnancy. Anticoagulation is not stopped — a documented plan should already be in place.  DOACs are not used. Consider valve thrombosis in new dyspnea or an embolic event.

​

4. Pulmonary hypertension: Pregnancy carries very high maternal risk. The same applies to Eisenmenger syndrome, an ejection fraction below 30 percent. Consider it in unexplained dyspnea or hypoxia.

​

5. Cardiac medications: ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, sacubitril/valsartan, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and SGLT2 inhibitors are not recommended in pregnancy. Statins maybe continued in established atherosclerotic disease.

bottom of page