Beta-adrenergic receptor blockade in the management of pregnant women with mitral valve stenosis

Article Abstract:

Narrowing (stenosis) of the mitral valve of the heart can cause difficulties in pumping blood and breathing, as well as heart palpitations. In severe cases, mitral valve stenosis can be surgically corrected. Surgery during pregnancy, however, is a risky procedure and is not recommended. Drugs that block the receptors that have a particular affinity for adrenergic agents help to reduce the stimulating effect of those chemicals on the heart. To see if beta-adrenergic receptor blockade is useful in treating pregnant women with previously diagnosed mitral stenosis, 25 women were given either propranolol (10 to 80 milligrams three times a day) or atenolol (100 to 200 milligrams daily). Beta-blockade was useful in improving symptoms in 23 patients (92 percent). The average heart rate was reduced from 86 beats per minute to 78 beats per minute. The average fetal heart rate ranged safely between 130 and 150 beats per minute after treatment. Two patients who failed to take the recommended medication regimen developed pulmonary edema (fluid build-up in the lungs), necessitating surgical replacement of the mitral valve. All the infants were delivered safely, without any maternal or fetal complications. Beta-adrenergic blockade was successful in reducing the risk for pulmonary edema, a major cause of maternal death. None of the newborns experienced any side effects. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cardiovascular diseases, Surgery, Drug therapy, Pregnancy, Adrenergic beta blockers, Adrenergic beta-antagonists, Propranolol hydrochloride, Propranolol, Mitral valve stenosis, Mitral valve, Cardiovascular diseases in pregnancy, Atenolol

---

Perceived quality of life in pregnant adolescent girls

Article Abstract:

Most pregnant teenage girls do not believe the pregnancy has any substantial adverse impact on their quality of life, according to a survey of 42 pregnant teenage girls. All of the girls were poor, and 92% were either African-American or Hispanic-American. These girls should be followed to see if being a teenage parent has an adverse impact on quality of life.

Psychological aspects, Quality of life, Pregnant girls, Pregnant teenagers

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Drug prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus-infected pregnant women: ethical considerations. Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus during pregnancy: the shift from an exclusive focus on fetal protection to a more balanced approach
• Abstracts: Childhood human immunodeficiency virus infection: the spectrum of costs
• Abstracts: Presence and prognostic significance of antilymphocyte antibodies in symptomatic and asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection. part 2
• Abstracts: A permanent US-Mexico border environmental health commission. part 2 The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission on medical education: the sciences of medical practice, summary report
• Abstracts: Influence of coumarin treatment on patency and limb salvage after peripheral arterial reconstructive surgery. part 2

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.