The contribution of heart disease to maternal mortality

Abstract

The majority of women with preexisting heart disease can go through pregnancy safely, however, close attention to detail must be paid to avoid potential complications.

Cardiac conditions in pregnancy and the role of midwives: A discussion paper

“…In particular, hypoxaemia is poorly tolerated by the foetus and is associated with a high incidence of foetal loss, stillbirths, preterm delivery and IUGR. In these cases, the risk to mother and unborn child correlates with the former's resting oxygen saturation (Cox et al, ; van Mook & Peeters, ; Zöllner et al, ).…”

“…This condition is evident in women who are diagnosed with Marfan or Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (connective tissue disorders), a bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta (and a previous repair) or hypertension (Cantwell et al, ; Johns, ; Yu‐Ling Tan, ). The exact precipitating cause is uncertain, but there is speculation that pregnancy predisposes women to aortic dissection because of the hormonal changes involved and the increased haemodynamic shear stress results in structural damage to vasculature (Zöllner et al, ). Midwives need to be cognizant of the fact that when a pregnant woman presents with severe chest, abdominal or back pain that requires opiate analgesia (excluding labour or postoperative pain), this warrants thorough investigation (Knight et al, ).…”

“…In these cases, the risk to mother and unborn child correlates with the former's resting oxygen saturation (Cox et al, 2005;van Mook & Peeters, 2008;Zöllner et al, 2013).…”

“…The exact precipitating cause is uncertain, but there is speculation that pregnancy predisposes women to aortic dissection because of the hormonal changes involved and the increased haemodynamic shear stress results in structural damage to vasculature (Zöllner et al, 2013). Midwives need to be cognizant of the fact that when a pregnant woman presents with severe chest, abdominal or back pain that requires opiate analgesia (excluding labour or postoperative pain), this warrants thorough investigation (Knight et al, 2016).…”

Sudden Death of a Woman at Postpartum Period - Myocarditis Related with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Autopsy Diagnosis, Case Report

“…The distribution of cardiac disease related maternal deaths differ in reasons from country to country. Myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy and Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) are the leading causes in western countries whereas rheumatic heart diseases are accused mostly in developing countries [2]. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases in pregnancy is about 2-4% [3].…”