Is arrhythmia common in pregnancy?

Is arrhythmia common in pregnancy?

Arrhythmias are common in pregnancy, even in the absence of structural heart disease, and may be a first presentation or an exacerbation of a pre-existing cardiac condition. Often patients are symptomatic with palpitations due to benign arrhythmia (ectopic beats, sinus tachycardia) and may only require reassurance.

Does arrhythmia affect pregnancy?

Arrhythmias occurring during pregnancy can cause significant symptoms and even death in mother and fetus. The management of these arrhythmias is complicated by the need to avoid harm to the fetus and neonate. It is useful to classify patients with arrhythmias into those with and without structural heart disease.

What is the most common complication of cardioversion in a pregnant woman?

Arrhythmias are the most common cardiac complication encountered during pregnancy in women with and without structural heart disease [1-3].

Can SVT harm baby during pregnancy?

Both mother and fetus are at risk when SVT occurs during pregnancy. Pregnancy may predispose to and exacerbate symptoms of SVT which are shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness and presyncope.

What causes arrhythmias in pregnancy?

The increase in heart rate during pregnancy, seen predominantly in the third trimester, may also predispose to arrhythmia, as a high resting heart rate has been associated with markers of arrhythmogenesis. Hormonal and autonomic changes may also contribute to arrhythmogenesis.

How is arrhythmia treated during pregnancy?

Digoxin, a common heart disease medication, is considered safe during pregnancy and is one of the preferred medications for pregnant women with AFib. Quinidine, which you take by IV, also seems to be safe to take during pregnancy.

Is cardiac ablation safe in pregnancy?

Conclusion: Catheter ablation with limited fluoroscopy can be performed safely and with good outcomes in pregnancy. During pregnancy, the cardiovascular system is faced with significant changes which can precipitate the occurrence of arrhythmias.

Is it safe to be pregnant with AFib?

It’s safe to get pregnant when you have AFib, but you might have extra doctor visits once you’re expecting, to help prevent complications. Ideally, you should discuss with your doctor the possible effects AFib can have on a pregnancy before you become pregnant.

Can you have a natural birth with SVT?

Obstetricians often feel a Caesarean section is the safest mode of delivery for women in SVT, but increasing Caesarean rates have impacts on individuals and services. This case shows that with appropriate selection and management, vaginal delivery can be safe in women with SVT.

Is it safe to have an ECG when pregnant?

The ECG is a very safe test and there are no issues with ECGs and pregnancy. The ECG does not involve any radiation or any chemicals into the woman’s body.

Can you develop AFib during pregnancy?

Developing atrial fibrillation for the first time during pregnancy is rare, but a few isolated cases have been reported. Most cases of atrial fibrillation during pregnancy are associated with pre-existing structural heart disease.

What is delayed afterdepolarization in cardiac arrhythmias?

One of the possible cellular mechanisms for certain types of ventricular arrhythmias is afterdepolarizations. There are two types of afterdepolarization. The delayed afterdepolarization (DAD) arises from the resting potential after full repolarization of an action potential and it may reach threshold for activation.

What are Early afterdepolarizations (EADs)?

Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are secondary voltage depolarizations during the repolarizing phase of the cardiac action potential (AP). They are often associated with arrhythmias such as Torsade de Pointes (TdP) in the setting of cardiac diseases, 1–3 including acquired and congenital long QT syndromes 4, 5 and heart failure. 6, 7

How do early afterdepolarizations cause polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (Pvt)?

Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are an important cause of lethal ventricular arrhythmias in long QT syndromes and heart failure, but the mechanisms by which EADs at the cellular scale cause arrhythmias such as polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) and Torsades de Pointes (TdP) at the tissue scale are not well-understood.

How common are cardiac arrhythmias during pregnancy?

Cardiac arrhythmias are the most common cardiac complication reported in pregnant women with and without structural heart disease (SHD); they are more frequent among women with SHD, such as cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease (CHD).

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