Pregnancy-Related Cardiovascular Complications: Case Presentation and Review of Literature

Authors

  • Hasan Baki Altinsoy Department of Radiology, The Health and Sciences University, Tunceli Government Hospital, Tunceli
  • Ozkan Alatas Department of Radiology, The Health and Sciences University, Tunceli Government Hospital, Tunceli
  • Salih Colak Department of Cardiology, The Health and Sciences University, Adana Numune Education and Research Hospital, Adana
  • Hakan Atalay Department Cardiovascular Surgery, The Health and Sciences University, Adana Numune Education and Research Hospital, Adana
  • Omer Faruk Dogan Department Cardiovascular Surgery, The Health and Sciences University, Adana Numune Education and Research Hospital, Adana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1532/hsf.1654

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular complications that can cause severe catastrophic outcomes for both the mother and the fetus are rarely seen during pregnancy. Time to diagnosis is often delayed by a low degree of suspicion and atypical presentation. We report surgical strategies in three pregnant women with cardiovascular complications.
Methods: A retrospective search from 2009 to 2016 identified three pregnant women who underwent urgent cardiac surgery. We used extracorporeal circulation (ECC) without cesarean section with careful follow-up of the fetuses during the perioperative and postoperative period. We used levosimendan as a potent inodilator in all patients to increase feto-placental blood flow and fetal heart rhythm.
Results: Median time to diagnosis was 23.8 h (range 11.7-120 h) and median time from diagnosis to arrival in the operating theater was 9.8 h (range 7.4-19.8 h). One patient with prosthetic heart valve thrombosis underwent concomitant cesarean section prior to cardiac surgery. In a young pregnant woman who had spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending artery, on-pump beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting was performed without cross clamping. Two and three months after surgery, cesarean sections were performed without any complication in two pregnant women.
Conclusion: Because unusual cardiovascular complications are the main cause of maternal and/or fetus death during pregnancy, prompt and exact diagnosis is very important. Life-saving surgical strategy with the help of appropriate teams are necessary to optimize outcome for both
mother and baby.

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Published

2016-10-31

How to Cite

Altinsoy, H. B., Alatas, O., Colak, S., Atalay, H., & Dogan, O. F. (2016). Pregnancy-Related Cardiovascular Complications: Case Presentation and Review of Literature. The Heart Surgery Forum, 19(5), E248-E254. https://doi.org/10.1532/hsf.1654

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