[Arrhythmias in pregnancy. How and when to treat?].

Abstract

Cardiac arrhythmias can develop during pregnancy. The risk of arrhythmias is relatively higher during labor and delivery. Potential factors that can promote arrhythmias in pregnancy or during labor and delivery, include the direct cardiac electrophysiological effects of hormones, changes in autonomic tone, hemodynamic perturbations, hypokalemia, and underlying heart disease. In this review, the basis for treatment of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias are described. No drug therapy is usually needed for the management of supraventricular or ventricular premature beats, but potential stimulants, such as smoking, caffeine, and alcohol should be eliminated. In paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, vagal stimulation maneuvers should be attempted first. In pregnant women with atrial fibrillation, the goal of treatment is conversion to sinus rhythm by electrical cardioversion. Rate control can be achieved by a cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocker drug and/ or digoxin. Ventricular arrhythmias may occur in the pregnant women, specially when cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, or mitral valve prolapse exists. Electrical cardioversion or treatment with sotalol may be used (amiodarone is not safe for the fetus). Finally, in women with congenital long QT syndrome, beta-blocker therapy must be continued during pregnancy and postpartum period.

• Authors: Jorge R Gómez Flores, Manlio F Márquez
• Journal: Archivos de cardiologia de Mexico (Arch Cardiol Mex) 2007 Apr-Jun Vol. 77 Suppl 2 Pg. S2-24-S2-31 ISSN: 1405-9940 [Print] Mexico
• Vernacular Title: Arritmias en el embarazo Cómo y cuándo tratar?
• PMID: 17972373 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
• Cardiotonic Agents
• Propafenone
• Digoxin
• Sotalol

Topics

• Algorithms
• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Arrhythmias, Cardiac (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology, therapy)
• Atrial Fibrillation (drug therapy, physiopathology, therapy)
• Cardiotonic Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic
• Digoxin (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Electric Countershock
• Electrocardiography
• Female
• Humans
• Long QT Syndrome (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology, therapy)
• Propafenone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Risk Factors
• Sotalol (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Tachycardia, Supraventricular (diagnosis, physiopathology, therapy)
• Tachycardia, Ventricular (diagnosis, physiopathology, therapy)