Cardiovascular Complications of Pregnancy and Peripartum

Abstract

Maternal mortality in women with cardiovascular disease is increasing. Pregnancy induces physiological changes resulting in possible decompensation of a preexisting heart disease. However, it could also be associated with a new-onset cardiovascular disease. The treatment of preexisting diseases, such as congenital cardiopathies is common, but is associated with good prognosis. At the opposite, acquired diseases are less common, but responsible for most of deaths. The most common causes of death are sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, amniotic fluid embolism and acquired cardiomyopathies like peripartum cardiomyopathy. Without appropriate treatment, evolution of these pathologies is rapidly fatal. Early diagnosis is essential to improve their prognosis. During the care for the critically ill pregnant, advantage is always given to the maternal prognosis compared to the fetal one. The complexity of care and the duality mother children require a multidisciplinary approach.