RT Book, Section A1 Visconti, Kevin C. A1 Van Hook, James W. A2 Pacheco, Luis D. A2 Saade, George R. A2 Hankins, Gary D.V. SR Print(0) ID 1115519193 T1 Myocardial Infarction T2 Maternal Medicine YR 2015 FD 2015 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071824163 LK obgyn.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1115519193 RD 2024/03/19 AB Women of reproductive age are usually regarded as young and healthy individuals with a decreased risk of developing a serious illness. However, the physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy are demanding on the cardiovascular system. Total cardiac output increases by about 50% from a combination of increased blood volume and pulse along with a decrease in peripheral resistance. These changes can place a significant stress on a normal heart and can become dangerous to individuals with underlying cardiac disorders. An estimated 0.4% to 4.1% of all pregnancies are complicated by cardiovascular diseases, and the number of patients who develop cardiac problems during pregnancy is increasing.1 Acute myocardial infarction (MI) although a more rare, but possibly lethal event during pregnancy, delivery, or the peripartum period, can occur in previously asymptomatic women who are experiencing the cardiac stress associated with normal pregnancy. Maternal mortality following MI in pregnancy develops secondary to different etiologies such as atherosclerosis, coronary vasospasm, thrombosis, and coronary dissection. Although the number of such patients presenting to the individual physician is small, knowledge of the risks associated with MI during pregnancy and its management are of pivotal importance.