Atrial fibrillation during pregnancy: a9-month period with limited options.

Abstract

Pregnancy is aphysiological condition with reversible hemodynamic, neurohormonal and coagulation changes to the maternal body during this 9‑month period. The occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is altogether rare among pregnant women, but necessitates immediate treatment und further work-up. Despite numerous pharmacological and invasive therapeutic modalities for AF in non-pregnant patients, very few options are considered safe enough for the fetus and the mother during pregnancy. Commonly used medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel antagonists, antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulation therapy must be carefully individualized according to the week of gestation and possible underlying comorbidities of the mother, thus highlighting the importance of an interdisciplinary evaluation by acardiologist and agynecologist. The current review summarizes the existing knowledge and treatment options for AF in pregnancy and suggests asimplified algorithm for this clinical constellation.