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Review
. 2009 Feb;55(2):155-7.

Prosthetic heart valves and management during pregnancy

Farida Mary Jeejeebhoy
Review

Prosthetic heart valves and management during pregnancy

Farida Mary Jeejeebhoy. Can Fam Physician. 2009 Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

Question: What are the major concerns during pregnancy for women with prosthetic heart valves?

Answer: There are 2 types of prosthetic heart valves, bioprosthetic and mechanical. Although successful pregnancies are possible for women with prosthetic heart valves, there are potential complications-some of which can be fatal-for both types of valves. Therefore, preconception counseling and assessment are recommended, and care for these patients should be delivered throughout pregnancy in a specialized program for high-risk patients by a multidisciplinary team.

QUESTION Quelles sont les préoccupations majeures durant la grossesse pour les femmes ayant des valvules cardiaques artificielles?

RÉPONSE Il y a 2 genres de prothèses pour les valvules cardiaques: bioprothétiques et mécaniques. Même s’il est possible pour les femmes porteuses de valvules cardiaques artificielles de mener à terme une grossesse, il y a des complications possibles dont certaines peuvent être fatales, quel que soit le type de prothèse. Par conséquent, il est recommandé de faire du counseling et une évaluation avant la conception, et ces patientes devraient être suivies par une équipe multidisciplinaire durant toute la grossesse, dans le cadre d’un programme spécialisé pour les cas à risque élevé.

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