Cardioversion in late pregnancy: a case report

Abstract

About 1% of all pregnancies are complicated by maternal cardiac diseases. Among the various cardiac pathologies complicating pregnancy, arrhythmias are the most common. Most of them are diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. Tachyarrhythmias are the commonest form of arrhythmias reported during pregnancy. Risk factors for this are the presence of organic heart disease, various hormonal and hemodynamic changes during pregnancy. Fortunately most of these arrhythmias are benign and require no intervention. Treatment options must take into consideration hemodynamic status of mother, gestational age and the possible teratogenic effect of medications on the fetus. We are hereby reporting a case of successful electrical cardioversion performed in a woman at 37th week of gestation due to resistant symptomatic atrial fibrillation.