The mortality rate of pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy is 25%–56%. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is the highest incidence among this group, especially in young women. Despite clear recommendation of pregnancy avoidance, certain groups of patients are initially diagnosed during the gestational age step into the third trimester. While the presence of right ventricular failure in early gestation is usually trivial, it can be more severe in the late trimester. Current evidence shows no consensus in the management and serious precautions for each stage of the pre-, peri- and post-partum periods of this specific group. Pulmonary hypertension-targeted drugs, mode of delivery, type of anesthesia, and some avoidances should be planned among a multidisciplinary team to enhance maternal and fetal survival opportunities. Sudden circulatory collapse from cardiac decompensation during the peri- and post-partum phases is detrimental, and mechanical support such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation should be considered for mitigating hemodynamics and extending cardiac recovery time. Our review aims to explain the pathophysiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension and summarize the current evidence for critical management and precautions in each stage of pregnancy.
Pregnancy in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Light of New ESC Guidelines on Pulmonary Hypertension Karolina Barańska-Pawełczak, Celina Wojciechowska, Wojciech Jacheć International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(5): 4625. CrossRef
Pregnancy in Severe Pulmonary Hypertension: A Case Report and Literature Analysis 一人 王 Advances in Clinical Medicine.2023; 13(10): 16433. CrossRef
Effects of maternal pulmonary arterial hypertension on fetal hemodynamics and maternal‐fetal outcome in late pregnancy Yuan Yuan Xing, Yanping Ruan, Huai Qin, Lei Zhao, Qing Zhao, Yun Wei, Jie Chen, Xiaohai Ma Echocardiography.2023; 40(12): 1339. CrossRef
Clinical Analysis in 82 Pregnant Women with the Severity of Pulmonary Hypertension 安芬 李 Advances in Clinical Medicine.2023; 13(11): 18492. CrossRef
The most common cardiac complications detected during pregnancy are an arrhythmia. However, idiopathic continuous monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) during pregnancy is unusual. A 31-year-old pregnant woman presented at 20 weeks of gestation with progressive palpitation and episodes of agitation. An initial 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) showed normal sinus rhythm. However, 30 minutes after presenting at the emergency room, she complained of chest pain. A subsequent ECG showed wide complex monomorphic VT. We attempted to administer an antiarrhythmic drug, but the patient refused any medication because of concerns regarding possible adverse effects on the fetus. Therefore, we performed synchronized electrical cardioversion eight times. After the eighth synchronized cardioversion at 200 J, the ECG showed successful restoration of sinus rhythm. The condition of the fetus was monitored via ultrasonography and cardiotocography, and no adverse events were observed. We present the case of a successful synchronized electrical cardioversion performed in a woman at 20 weeks of gestation because of sustained symptomatic VT.
The incidence of acute leukemia during pregnancy is extremely rare, and often it is not easy to differentiate it from other diseases associated with pregnancy such as sepsis or hemorrhage. Pregnancy itself is not known to affect the natural course of leukemia; however, complications of leukemia like anemia, infections, and coagulopathy can adversely influence both the fetus and the mother. In this case, a pregnant patient misdiagnosed with septic shock and severe leukocytosis was correctly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia after surgical delivery.
Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a recently described acute and transient cardiomyopathy with typical left ventricular apical ballooning mimicking the clinical scenario of an acute myocardial infarction. Cesarean delivery causes intense emotional and physical stresses, which may precipitate stress-induced cardiomyopathy. We report a case presenting stress-induced cardiomyopathy occurring during ICU care in the early postpartum period following cesarean delivery.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is defined as the onset of acute heart failure without demonstrable cause in the last trimester of pregnancy or within the first 6 months after delivery. Mortality from PPCM ranges from 25% to 50% and cause of death is usually chronic congestive heart failure or thromboembolic complications. We experienced 2 patients with PPCM. One was a twin pregnant woman and PPCM was developed after cesarean section. In the other case, PPCM was combined with aspiration pneumonia in the preterm labor patient. They were treated with diuretics and cardiotonic drugs and recovered to normal cardiac function within 7 to 10 days. Prognosis is related to recovery of left ventricular function, which usually occurs within 6 months postpartum. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of PPCM improve outcome.