open access
Safety of cardiological diagnostics in pregnant women
open access
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) occur in 0.2–4% of pregnant women. Late motherhood, the coexistence of CVD risk factors and advances in the treatment of congenital heart defect are the main causes of increasing risk of CVD in women of reproductive age in developed countries. CVD is now the leading cause of death in pregnant women. The most important risk factor for morbidity and mortality is the left ventricular dysfunction. The female population requiring cardiac care before, during and after pregnancy is steadily increasing. Medical care for women with CVD must be comprehensive — it requires early diagnosis, appropriate risk stratification and the implementation of appropriate treatment by an experienced team. Adaptive changes occurring in the circulation of pregnant cause an increase of morbidity and mortality in women with CVD. In addition, certain diseases of the cardiovascular system such as hypertension may be caused by pregnancy. Cardiac diagnostics in pregnancy must be sufficiently precise and safe for mother and foetus. Most commonly used are non-invasive methods burdened with the lowest risk. Physiological changes during pregnancy may affect the interpretation of the results of additional tests. Therefore, the first examination should always be physical examination. Most diagnostic methods in cardiology are relatively safe in pregnancy. Successful care of pregnant women with CVD depend on close cooperation between many specialists and the patient herself.
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) occur in 0.2–4% of pregnant women. Late motherhood, the coexistence of CVD risk factors and advances in the treatment of congenital heart defect are the main causes of increasing risk of CVD in women of reproductive age in developed countries. CVD is now the leading cause of death in pregnant women. The most important risk factor for morbidity and mortality is the left ventricular dysfunction. The female population requiring cardiac care before, during and after pregnancy is steadily increasing. Medical care for women with CVD must be comprehensive — it requires early diagnosis, appropriate risk stratification and the implementation of appropriate treatment by an experienced team. Adaptive changes occurring in the circulation of pregnant cause an increase of morbidity and mortality in women with CVD. In addition, certain diseases of the cardiovascular system such as hypertension may be caused by pregnancy. Cardiac diagnostics in pregnancy must be sufficiently precise and safe for mother and foetus. Most commonly used are non-invasive methods burdened with the lowest risk. Physiological changes during pregnancy may affect the interpretation of the results of additional tests. Therefore, the first examination should always be physical examination. Most diagnostic methods in cardiology are relatively safe in pregnancy. Successful care of pregnant women with CVD depend on close cooperation between many specialists and the patient herself.
Keywords
cardiovascular disease, pregnancy, cardiovascular diagnosis, risk assessment


Title
Safety of cardiological diagnostics in pregnant women
Journal
Issue
Pages
450-456
Published online
2016-01-11
DOI
10.5603/FC.2015.0085
Bibliographic record
Folia Cardiologica 2015;10(6):450-456.
Keywords
cardiovascular disease
pregnancy
cardiovascular diagnosis
risk assessment
Authors
Eliza Edyta Kozyra-Pydyś
Łukasz Pydyś