Mitral valve stenosis and pregnancy
Mitral valve stenosis is a concern if you are pregnant or are thinking of becoming pregnant. It is associated with increased risks to you and the fetus (baby), particularly if your condition is severe and you have heart failure.
If your mitral valve stenosis is mild or moderate, you should be able to have a safe pregnancy using a combination of diuretics and beta-blockers, medicines that can reduce stress on the heart.1
But if your mitral valve stenosis is severe or causes symptoms, you may need surgery before you conceive. In this case, you may need balloon valvotomy, which temporarily repairs the valve by inflating a balloon inside it to widen the valve opening. This works only if your valve leaflets are pliable enough and are not overly scarred.1
Mitral valve replacement is not a good option for women who want to become pregnant because this surgery requires taking anticoagulants after the valve replacement. Some anticoagulants are dangerous during pregnancy.
If you are already pregnant and develop severe symptoms of mitral valve stenosis, your doctor may recommend balloon valvotomy. Balloon valvotomy can be performed safely during pregnancy, with little risk to mother or baby.1 But surgery during pregnancy should be considered only after your doctor has tried other treatments, such as medicines.
Pregnant women with mitral valve stenosis are best cared for by a team that includes a cardiologist and an obstetrician.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: March 18, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
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