Cardiovascular Urgencies and Emergencies in Pregnancy: A Case Based Review of Some Cardiovascular Diseases Affecting Pregnant Females

Abstract

This manuscript explores the clinical presentation and physical examination findings in pregnant patients with presumed heart disease. There is a review of the clinical presentation, physical examination, and multi-modality imaging that led to a diagnosis in pregnant patients with coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, and pulmonary hypertension. The cases are not exhaustive, but represent a subset of the large number of cardiovascular conditions affecting pregnant patients. For an excellent and exhaustive review, the readership is directed to the 2018 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease during pregnancy.