Cardiac disease in pregnancy.
This study was a retrospective review of patient charts of a relatively large number of patients with cardiac disease in pregnancy in a developing country. Ninety-five patients were evaluated; the majority (n = 36) were in the age group 21-25 years. Rheumatic heart disease was the commonest aetiology; eight women required balloon mitral valvuloplasty and one had a valve replacement at 32 weeks' gestation. There were no maternal deaths but morbidity was high; 13 patients were admitted in cardiac failure, nine had atrial fibrillation and three required intensive-care management. There were 86 live births of the 97 deliveries. Cardiac disease in pregnancy is associated with high maternal morbidity and adverse foetal outcomes; this was related to late presentation and problems with anticoagulation. Clinical assessment remains a key factor in timeous referral and appropriate investigations.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
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Nqayana
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Moodley
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DP
Naidoo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000453:epidemiology; D002404:Catheterization; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003422:Critical Care; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D050498:Live Birth; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000925:Anticoagulants