Drugs and therapeutics, including contraception, for women with heart disease.
Cardiac disease remains the leading cause of maternal death in the UK, and data from the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries have shown that the numbers of women dying from cardiac disease have steadily increased over the past 30 years. The incidence of acquired heart disease is increasing because of older age at first pregnancy, as well as a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity. The number of women with congenital heart disease who are of childbearing age is also increasing. Significant cardiovascular changes occur in pregnancy even from an early gestation. This can affect the types and doses of medications used in pregnancy. The main aims of management are to optimise the mother's condition during pregnancy, to monitor for deterioration, and to minimise any additional load on the cardiovascular system from pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period.
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Women's Health Services Directorate, 10th Floor, North Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK. Electronic address: amohan@doctors.org.uk.
Aarthi R
AR
Mohan
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Women's Health Services Directorate, 10th Floor, North Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK. Electronic address: Catherine.Nelson-Piercy@gstt.nhs.uk.
Catherine
C
Nelson-Piercy
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D000075202:Contraindications; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010120:Oxytocics; D015149:Tocolytic Agents
cardiac disease; congenital heart disease; contraception; obstetrics; pregnancy