[Maternal cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy]

Abstract

During pregnancy an increased incidence of maternal cardiac arrhythmias is observed. These include a wide spectrum, from clinically irrelevant isolated premature beats to debilitating supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias. In principle, management of arrhythmias during pregnancy is similar to that in non-pregnant patients. However, special consideration should be given to foetal age and potential teratogenic and haemodynamic adverse drug effects on the foetus. Therapeutic strategy should be guided by interdisciplinary consulting (i.e. cardiology, obstetrics, neonatology). Diagnostic evaluation must rule out underlying cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine or metabolic diseases. Additionally, precipitating factors such as excessive caffeine and/or alcohol ingestion and cigarette smoking should be avoided. For benign arrhythmias a conservative approach is appropriate. Antiarrhythmic drug selection depends on the specific arrhythmia being treated and the cardiac condition of the mother and the foetus. Some antiarrhythmic agents, such as propranolol, metoprolol, digoxin and quinidine, have been extensively tested during pregnancy and have proven to be safe; they should therefore, whenever possible, be used as firstline. For supraventricular tachycardia, intravenous adenosine may be used to terminate the arrhythmia if vagal manoeuvres fail. In emergency situations cardioversion may be performed with relative safety. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators as a preventive measure for life-threatening arrhythmias in pregnant patients do not seem to increase the risk of major complications.