Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy with implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement in pregnancy

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2005 Aug;18(2):141-4. doi: 10.1080/14767050500226500.

Abstract

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disorder that predominantly affects the right side of the heart and causes ventricular arrhythmias. In many patients the disease is familial. ARVC may account for as many as 5% of unexpected sudden deaths. We report a case of ARVC diagnosed at 21 weeks gestation treated with an implantable cardiac defibrillator. The remainder of her pregnancy was uneventful and the patient underwent induction of labor at 39 weeks gestation with a passive second stage forceps-assisted delivery resulting in delivery of a normal infant. In the gravida with cardiac arrhythmias, defibrillator placement may offer a safe, life-preserving treatment and should be considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / therapy
  • Defibrillators, Implantable
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / therapy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second