Cardiopulmonary complications of pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an up-to-date review of the literature on the assessment and management of pulmonary and cardiac conditions that may affect women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.


METHODS
A review of the current literature was performed.


RESULTS
Pregnancy may be complicated by a variety of pregnancy-specific and other cardiopulmonary complications. Management requires knowledge of the cardiopulmonary physiologic changes occurring in pregnancy, the pregnancy-specific conditions that may occur, and the effect of a fetus on maternal care.


CONCLUSIONS
Admission of the pregnant or postpartum woman to the intensive care unit is uncommon but may require specialized knowledge for successful management.
Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Stephen E
SE
Lapinsky
D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents