Abstract

VELASQUEZ, Jorge E; DUQUE, Mauricio  and  SANCHEZ, Jairo. Valvular disease and pregnancy. Rev. Col. Cardiol. [online]. 2008, vol.15, n.5, pp.231-242. ISSN 0120-5633.

Women status in our society has changed dramatically and has caused a displacement in the timing and priority of pregnancy desire, leading to situations of higher risks for both mother and future infant. Likewise, advances in pediatric cardiology and cardiovascular surgery have allowed the modification of the natural history of congenital heart diseases and the daily life of patients under these conditions. Being nearer to normality, patients in this situation consult for pregnancies that have shown their cardiac reserve and place them at high risk. Rheumatic cardiopathy is still a frequent condition in our community, being responsible for mitral and/or aortic valvular changes that in some cases will force the use of chronic oral anticoagulation, posing a new challenge for the pregnant mother, the fetus and the attending physician. It is therefore essential for the medical staff in general to be aware of the risks that these situations represent in the future pregnant women, and the need for an adequate pre-conception counseling and a rigorous multidisciplinary follow-up that may allow safe pregnancies leading to happy endings.

Keywords : valvular disease; pregnancy, anticoagulation.

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