Management of Acute Aortic Infective Endocarditis in Pregnancy Pages 17-19

Marco Picichè1, Eric Charbonneau2 and Richard Baillot2

1Unità Operativa di Cardiochirurgia, Ospedale San Filippo Neri, Roma, Italy; 2Service de Chirurgie Cardiaque, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, Canada

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12970/2311-052X.2013.01.01.4

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Abstract: The reported incidence of infective endocarditis during pregnancy is 0,006% and there are no accepted guidelines. Management is individually based according to gestational age and the status of the mother. A multidisciplinary approach is required. Cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia and hyperkalemia may be fatal for the foetus due to vasoconstrictive response of the uteroplacental arteries. Herein, we report a case of successful treatment of acute aortic endocarditis during the second trimester of gestation, with a focus on timing of surgery and technical aspects.

Keywords: Pregnancy, valve, endocarditis, cardiopulmonary bypass. Read more