Valvular Heart Disease and Pregnancy: an Update

Purpose of the review To provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge and recent advances in the management of valvular heart disease (VHD) in pregnancy. Recent findings The management of VHD in pregnancy spans from preconception evaluation with a multidisciplinary pregnancy heart team through pregnancy and the post-partum. Catheter-based valvular interventions have emerged as a potential treatment option during pregnancy for women refractory to conservative management. Recent research suggests that women with regurgitant valvular lesions are also at risk of pregnancy complications, bringing to question the previously held notion that regurgitant lesions are generally not associated with adverse outcomes in pregnancy. Summary The management of valvular disease during pregnancy is an area that warrants further study. There is a need for larger prospective cohorts and long-term clinical outcomes to tailor our care of the growing population of young women with significant VHD.