Abstract:
Cardiac disease in pregnancy is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and is the second most common cause of indirect
maternal death in South Africa. Although most women with cardiac disease cope well throughout pregnancy, some conditions are
associated with an increased risk. Appropriate management of cardiac disease in pregnancy requires expert assessment, risk categorisation
and ongoing care. The objective of this article is to assist clinicians to identify and modify risk factors associated with cardiac disease in
pregnancy and thus reduce avoidable morbidity and mortality.
Description:
PSP: conceptualisation, review, write-up and
editing; JA: review, write-up and editing; and SM: review and write-up.
