ABSTRACT
QUESTION What are the major concerns during pregnancy for women with prosthetic heart valves?
ANSWER There are 2 types of prosthetic heart valves, bioprosthetic and mechanical. Although successful pregnancies are possible for women with prosthetic heart valves, there are potential complications—some of which can be fatal—for both types of valves. Therefore, preconception counseling and assessment are recommended, and care for these patients should be delivered throughout pregnancy in a specialized program for high-risk patients by a multidisciplinary team.
- Copyright© the College of Family Physicians of Canada