Antiarrhythmic drugs in pregnancy
Abstract
During pregnancy a number of rhythm disturbances can occur in both the mother and fetus; these may range from benign ectopy to life-threatening arrhythmias. With a clear understanding of the maternal hemodynamic changes associated with pregnancy, and the appropriate antiarrhythmic therapies available, almost all such cases can be treated successfully. Although no drug is completely safe, most are well tolerated and can be given with relatively low risk. Drug therapy should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy if possible and drugs with the longest record of safety should be used as first-line therapy. Conservative therapies should be used when appropriate. Several drug options exist for most maternal and fetal arrhythmias.
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Disopyramide has been associated with contractions of the uterus.
“the latter has been associated with contractions of the uterus.406”
From European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document on the management of supraventricular arrhythmias, endorsed by Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and Sociedad Latinoamericana de Estimulacion Cardiaca y Electrofisiologia (SOLAECE) (2017) · cites this paper as [406]
Foetal bradycardia has been reported with verapamil.
“Bradycardia in the foetus has however been reported and caution is advised.406”
From European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document on the management of supraventricular arrhythmias, endorsed by Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and Sociedad Latinoamericana de Estimulacion Cardiaca y Electrofisiologia (SOLAECE) (2017) · cites this paper as [406]
Experience with propafenone and disopyramide is more limited.
“The experience with propafenone and disopyramide is more limited”
From European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document on the management of supraventricular arrhythmias, endorsed by Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and Sociedad Latinoamericana de Estimulacion Cardiaca y Electrofisiologia (SOLAECE) (2017) · cites this paper as [406]
Flecainide and sotalol appear well tolerated and reasonably safe, based on limited data.
“Although based on limited data flecainide and sotalol appear to be well tolerated and reasonably safe.406”
From European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document on the management of supraventricular arrhythmias, endorsed by Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and Sociedad Latinoamericana de Estimulacion Cardiaca y Electrofisiologia (SOLAECE) (2017) · cites this paper as [406]
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Katritsis, D. G., Boriani, G., Cosio, F. G., Hindricks, G., Jaïs, P., Josephson, M. E., Keegan, R., Kim, Y.-H., Knight, B. P., Kuck, K.-H., et al. (2017) · Europace · doi:10.1093/europace/euw301 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
Li, J., Nguyen, C., Joglar, J. A., Hamdan, M. H., & Page, R. L. (2008) · Clinical Cardiology · doi:10.1002/clc.20326 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
- Authors
- Joglar, J. A., & Page, R. L.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Dallas (US)
- Corresponding author
- Page, Richard L.
- ORCID
- Page, Richard L.
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Cardiology
- Published
- 2001-01
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 40-45
- ISSN
- 0268-4705 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2001933328
- Cited by
- 72
- References
- 65
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 0.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Cardiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Issues in Pregnancy
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Pregnancy and Medication Impact
- Keywords
- antiarrhythmic drugs, pregnancy, fetal arrhythmia, drug safety in pregnancy, first trimester, conservative treatment, drug selection
- MeSH terms
- Adrenergic beta-Antagonists, Amiodarone, Anti-Arrhythmia Agents, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Female, Heart Conduction System, Humans, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular, Potassium Channel Blockers, Sodium Channel Blockers
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