title: Valvular heart disease in pregnancy.
abstract: Valvular heart disease may be a pre-existing complication of pregnancy or it may be diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. Accurate diagnosis, tailored therapy and an understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of pregnancy are necessary components of management, best achieved through the use of multidisciplinary clinics. This review outlines the management of specific lesions, with particular reference to post-rheumatic valvular heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Email: john.anthony@uct.ac.za.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.affiliation: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Bayero University Kano and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kanu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mahmoud U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Sani
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment