Pregnancy and rheumatic heart disease
Worldwide, rheumatic fever is the predominant cause of 1 valve disease encountered during pregnancy. It is fairly common in developing countries and as far as Indian scenario is concerned its incidence is very high. The hemodynamic changes that occur during pregnancy pose a challenge for a physician when it is accompanied with rheumatic valvular heart disease. Management of valve disease through pregnancy is largely the same regardless of the cause. An exception is that those with rheumatic fever as the cause should be advised of antibiotic prophylaxis against a recurrence, even during 2 pregnancy. Before going into the disease process we must be well versed with the normal cardiovascular changes during pregnancy.