title: Cardiac imaging and functional assessment in pregnancy.
abstract: There are multiple imaging modalities available for the assessment of pregnant women with known or suspected cardiac disease. Because of its safety and general availability, echocardiography is the preferred study of choice for the evaluation of ventricular function, valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, evaluation of the aorta, and the estimation of cardiac hemodynamics in a pregnant patient. Cardiac MRI can be performed, especially for diseases of the aorta and complex congenital heart disease. Radiation exposure for the fetus and the mother will be discussed in the use of CT angiography, nuclear imaging, and left-heart catheterization including coronary angiography for specific indications in the pregnant woman. The use of exercise testing during pregnancy for functional assessment will be presented.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th St, New York, NY 10032. Electronic address: cw2108@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Waksmonski
mesh_terms: D002300:Cardiac Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004452:Echocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000528:radiation effects; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: CT; MRI; echocardiography; imaging; predictors of cardiovascular risk; pregnancy; right and left heart catheterization; stress testing