Pregnancy Causes a Transient Decrease in Systemic Ventricular Function in Women with Pre-existing Cardiac Disease

Pregnancy is known to induce significant hemodynamic changes. The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of these hemodynamic changes during pregnancy on systemic ventricular function (SVF) in women with pre-existing cardiac disease.A retrospective review of women followed in the Wisconsin Adult Congenital Heart Disease program with a concurrent pregnancy from 2006 to 2015 was conducted. The SVF was measured in a baseline echocardiogram (obtained ≤12months prior to the estimated dated of conception (EDC)), an echocardiogram during pregnancy, and a post-partum echocardiogram.
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research