A case of prosthesis-patient mismatch complicating pregnancy.
Prosthesis-patient mismatch occurs when the effective prosthetic valve area is smaller than that of a normal human valve. Its importance in pregnancy is unknown. We describe an asymptomatic patient with higher than normal transvalvular gradients due to prosthesis-patient mismatch who developed congestive heart failure in late pregnancy. Our recommendation is that pregnant patients, particularly those with a small valve prosthesis, undergo serial echocardiography because these patients are at high risk of developing heart failure.
Belford
Peter M
PM
Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1045, USA.
Davis
Jonathan
J
Wells
Gretchen
G
D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*