Abstract
We have summarized the care management of pregnant women with complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) by reviewing the data from previous literature and our experience including 29 births. The management of patients already implanted with a permanent pacemaker does not involve any risks. Some of the patients without permanent pacemaker may develop syncope due to heart failure during pregnancy. Prepregnancy prophylactic placement of a permanent pacemaker is not indicated in all asymptomatic patients; however, for symptomatic patients in the first and second trimesters, permanent pacemaker implantation is the therapy of choice. For symptomatic women with CAVB who present at or near term, temporary pacing at the earliest possible time prior to labor induction should be recommended. Most pregnant women with CAVB who do not require a permanent pacemaker before delivery can be managed safely during labor even without temporary pacing. Elective epidural analgesia and forceps delivery are also important components of the care of patients without permanent pacemaker for maintaining stable maternal hemodynamics.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Handbook of Prenatal Diagnosis |
| Subtitle of host publication | Methods, Issues, and Health Impacts |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 333-353 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781607412540 |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Medicine(all)