The pregnant heart: cardiac emergencies during pregnancy

Am J Emerg Med. 2015 Apr;33(4):573-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2015.02.046. Epub 2015 Mar 7.

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular emergencies in pregnant patients are often considered a rare event; however, heart disease as a cause of maternal mortality is steadily increasing.

Discussion: In this article, we review 3 common cardiovascular emergencies and the important subtle differences in their treatment in the pregnant patient: peripartum/postpartum cardiomyopathy, acute myocardial infarction, and cardiac resuscitation.

Conclusion: Managing these conditions in the emergency department setting requires a high index of suspicion, knowledge of anatomical and physiologic changes associated with pregnancy, and updated management strategies related to optimizing maternal and fetal health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiomyopathies* / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathies* / epidemiology
  • Cardiomyopathies* / etiology
  • Cardiomyopathies* / therapy
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies* / diagnosis
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies* / epidemiology
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies* / etiology
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies* / therapy
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Emergencies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Myocardial Infarction* / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction* / epidemiology
  • Myocardial Infarction* / etiology
  • Myocardial Infarction* / therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / etiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / therapy*
  • Prognosis
  • Resuscitation / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Vascular Diseases / congenital*
  • Vascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Vascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Vascular Diseases / etiology
  • Vascular Diseases / therapy

Supplementary concepts

  • Coronary Artery Dissection, Spontaneous