Cardiac Conduction Defects and Pacemaker in Pregnancy – Case Series
Abstract
Pregnancy is a state of hyperdynamic circulation. Any additional load on the already burdened heart in a pregnant woman is a threaten to the life of the mother and fetus. This case series on conduction cardiac abnormalities in pregnancy includes three patients with congenital complete heart block with pacemaker in situ, sick sinus syndrome with pacemaker in situ and a case of Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome in pregnancy respectively. In spite of arrhythmias being one among the commonly encountered cardiac complications in pregnancy, there is limited evidence on management of arrhythmias and patients with pacemakers in pregnancy. Management of these patients should include pre-conception counselling, antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care with a multi specialist team comprising of obstetrician, cardiologist and anaesthetist. A basic knowledge on monitoring and functioning of pacemakers is of important in managing such cases.
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References
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