Abstract

MUNERA, ANA G.. PREGNANT PATIENT WITH HEART VALVE DISEASE, A METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH. rev.fac.med [online]. 2010, vol.18, n.1, pp.44-57. ISSN 0121-5256.

Women with valvular disease who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant require careful evaluation and management. Pregnancy is associated with physiological changes that can aggravate many valvular diseases. Most women tolerate well pregnancy and childbirth without major complications, but some types of valvular disease are poorly tolerated and require intensive management. In addition, patients who are at risk of thromboembolism and those with prosthetic valves required anticoagulation. The decision regarding the type and intensity of anticoagulation requires a careful balance between the individual risk of thrombosis, bleeding in the mother and the dangers to the fetus. The key to optimize good results in patients with valvular heart disease consists of a precise diagnosis of the etiology, classification of risk, appropriate evaluation and counseling before pregnancy and reference of high-risk women to centers with experience. The management of these patients should be multidisciplinary including specialists in the areas of obstetrics, cardiology, neonatology and anesthesiology, among others.

Keywords : pregnancy; heart valve diseases; heart valve prosthesis.

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