Echocardiography in Pregnancy: Part 2

The prevalence of pregnant women with cardiovascular heart disease is increasing. Transthoracic echocardiography is safe during pregnancy, and it is an important diagnostic tool in pregnant women with established heart disease in order to monitor ventricular and valvular anatomy and function. In addition, it can be used to delineate cardiac anatomy in complex congenital heart disease and help stratify maternal risk during pregnancy. This review will focus on the use of echocardiography in the diagnosis and management of pregnant women with common congenital lesions and with prosthetic valves.