Cardiovascular Disorders in Pregnancy Flashcards
A concurrent disorder, pregnancy-related complications, or external factor jeopardizes the health of the pregnant person, fetus, or both
High-risk pregnancy
Once was a major threat to pregnancy, now complicates approximately 1% of all pregnancies
Cardiovascular diseases in pregnancy
Most common cardiovascular disorders during pregnancy
- Valve damage concerns caused by rheumatic fever or Kawasaki disease
- Congenital anomalies (such as atrial septal defect)
- Uncorrected coarctation of the aorta
It may occur from Marfan syndrome and is also a concern
Aortic dilatation
When should mothers visit their pregnancy care providers?
- 1 week after the first missed menstrual period
- As soon as they have a positive home pregnancy test
- They should visit immediately as they suspect the pregnancy
Classification of Heart Disease
Class I - Uncompromised
Class II - Slightly compromised
Class III - Markedly compromised
Class IV - Severely compromised
Classification of Heart Disease
Ordinary physical activity causes no discomfort
No symptoms of cardiac insufficiency and no anginal pain
Class I - Uncompromised
Classification of Heart Disease
Ordinary physical activity causes excessive fatigue, palpitation, and dyspnea or anginal pain
Class II - Slightly compromised
Classification of Heart Disease
During less-than-ordinary activity, patient experiences excessive fatigue, palpitations, dyspnea, or anginal pain
Class III - Markedly compromised
Classification of Heart Disease
Patient is unable to carry out any physical activity without experiencing discomfort
Class IV - Severely compromised
Classification of Heart Disease
Even at rest, symptoms of cardiac insufficiency or anginal pain are present
Class IV - Severely compromised
Occurs in conditions such as mitral stenosis, mitral insufficiency, and aortic coarctation
Left-sided heart failure
The left ventricle cannot move the large volume of blood forward that it has received by the left atrium from the pulmonary circulation
Left-sided heart failure
Narrowing of the valve between the two left heart chambers
Mitral Valve Stenosis
The narrowed valve reduces or blocks blood flow into the heart’s main pumping chamber
Mitral Valve Stenosis
Occurs when the mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backwards into the heart
Mitral Insufficiency
It is a birth defect in which a part of the aorta is narrower than usual
Aortic Coarctation
The left side of the heart becomes distended, systemic BP decreases in the face of lowered cardiac output, and pulmonary hypertension occurs
Left-sided heart failure
The effects of back pressure/backflow of Left-Sided Heart Failure
- Heart becomes distended
- Systemic BP decreases in the face of lowered cardiac output
- Pulmonary hypertension
It produces profound shortness of breath as it interferes with oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange
Pulmonary Edema
It is the result of pulmonary capillaries rupture under the pressure, small amounts of blood leak into the alveoli
Productive cough with blood-speckled sputum
Mothers with left-sided heart failure are extremely high risk of what condition?
- Spontaneous miscarriage
- Preterm labor
- Death
What happens when pulmonary edema becomes severe?
Patient cannot sleep in any position except with their chest and head elevated
Sensation of breathlessness in the recumbent position, relieved by sitting or standing
Orthopnea
