Heart Disease in Pregnancy

Question 1

What causes Peripartum Cardiomyopathy?

Answer 1

Ab against the myocardium

Question 2

How does Peripartum Cardiomyopathy present?

Answer 2

LV dysfunction that is often short term and reversible, commonly presents after delivery in most patients

Question 3

What are the options for medical therapy in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy?

Answer 3

Same as Dilated Cardiomyopathy
-ACEI/ARBs
-Beta blockers
-Spironolactone
-Diuretics
-Digoxin

Question 4

What is the risk of repeat pregnancy in a woman with a history of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy?

Answer 4

It will provoke enormous Ab production against the myocardium

Question 5

What is Eisenmenger Syndrome?

Answer 5

Development of a right to left shunt due to pulmonary Hypertension

Question 6

What patient population is Eisenmenger syndrome seen in?

Answer 6

Patients with a VSD who have significant left to right shunt and eventually develop pulmonary hypertension

when the pulmonary hypertension becomes very severe the shunt reverses and becomes a right to left shunt