Cardio-Obstetrics: A Focused Review

Curr Cardiol Rep. 2023 Sep;25(9):1065-1073. doi: 10.1007/s11886-023-01928-0. Epub 2023 Aug 4.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the USA. All cardiovascular care providers should have a foundational knowledge on the management of pregnant individuals with heart disease. This focused review touches on several key cardio-obstetric themes.

Recent findings: Many individuals with cardiovascular disease can safely undergo pregnancy, but should have counseling preconception to optimize cardiac status. There are several cardiovascular conditions that are high risk for maternal mortality and morbidity. These individuals should be adequately counseled preconception and offered reliable birth control. The approach to a high-risk pregnant patient with cardiac disease is best managed by a multidisciplinary team to address potential maternal and fetal complications. Identification of at risk individuals can be estimated preconception with several risk scores. The development of risk scores to stratify and identify those at elevated risk during pregnancy is an area of continued research and development.

Keywords: APO ( adverse pregnancy outcome); Cardio-obstetrics; Pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / therapy
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases*
  • Humans
  • Obstetrics*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular* / therapy
  • Risk Factors