Cardiovascular drugs in pregnancy.
Cardiovascular drugs are used in pregnancy to treat maternal and fetal conditions. Mothers may also require drug therapy postpartum. Most cardiovascular drugs taken by pregnant women can cross the placenta and therefore expose the developing embryo and fetus to their pharmacologic and teratogenic effects. These effects are influenced by the intrinsic pharmacokinetic properties of a given drug and by the complex physiologic changes occurring during pregnancy. Many drugs are also transferred into human milk with potential adverse effects on the nursing infant. This article summarizes some of the literature concerning the risks and benefits of using cardiovascular drugs during pregnancy.
Department of Medicine, New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center, Munger Pavilion, Room 263, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA. William_Frishman@nymc.edu
William H
WH
Frishman
Uri
U
Elkayam
Wilbert S
WS
Aronow
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D002301:Cardiac Glycosides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D002301:Cardiac Glycosides; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors