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Am J Perinatol 2007; 24(4): 241-242
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-976549
Copyright © 2007 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

A Case of Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch Complicating Pregnancy

Peter M. Belford1 , Jonathan Davis2 , Gretchen Wells2
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
  • 2Section of Cardiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
19 April 2007 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Prosthesis-patient mismatch occurs when the effective prosthetic valve area is smaller than that of a normal human valve. Its importance in pregnancy is unknown. We describe an asymptomatic patient with higher than normal transvalvular gradients due to prosthesis-patient mismatch who developed congestive heart failure in late pregnancy. Our recommendation is that pregnant patients, particularly those with a small valve prosthesis, undergo serial echocardiography because these patients are at high risk of developing heart failure.

KEYWORDS

Prosthetic valve - pregnancy - heart failure

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Gretchen WellsM.D. Ph.D. 

Section of Cardiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1045

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