Most women with mitral valve prolapse have no complications during pregnancy or childbirth, and there is usually no risk for the baby either. However, when associated with heart disease such as major mitral regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation and infective endocarditis, more care and follow-up by an obstetrician and cardiologist with experience in high-risk pregnancies is needed.
Mitral valve prolapse is characterized by a failure to close the mitral leaflets, which may present an abnormal displacement during contraction of the left ventricle. This abnormal closure can allow the improper passage of blood, from the left ventricle to the left atrium, known as mitral regurgitation, being, in most cases, asymptomatic.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for mitral valve prolapse in pregnancy is only necessary when symptoms such as chest pain, tiredness or difficulty in breathing develop.
Treatment in these cases should always be done with the assistance of a cardiologist and, preferably, a specialist in heart disease during pregnancy, who may prescribe:
- Antiarrhythmic drugs, which control irregular heartbeat; Diuretics, which help to remove excess fluid from the lungs; Anticoagulants, which help to prevent blood clots.
In some cases, it may be necessary to take antibiotics during delivery to avoid the risk of infection of the mitral valve, but as far as possible, the use of drugs during pregnancy should be avoided.
What precautions to take
The care that pregnant women with mitral valve prolapse should be:
- Rest and reduce physical activity; Avoid gaining more than 10 kg of weight; Take iron supplementation after the 20th week; Reduce salt consumption.
In general, mitral valve prolapse in pregnancy is well tolerated and the mother's body adapts well to the overload of the cardiovascular system that is characteristic of pregnancy.
Does the mitral valve prolapse harm the baby?
Prolapse of the mitral valve only affects the baby in the most severe cases, where surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve is necessary. These procedures are usually safe for the mother, but for the baby it can represent a risk of death between 2 to 12%, and is therefore avoided during pregnancy.
