Clinical Updates in Women's Health Care Summary: Structural Heart Disease: Primary and Preventive Care Review.

Reproductive-aged women with structural heart disease who become pregnant as well as postreproductive-aged women with this condition represent a significant proportion of patients seen by obstetrician- gynecologists. Usually, their conditions are complex, and a basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart is required. Additionally, understanding the effect of pregnancy on women with structural heart disease is critically important to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes. This monograph addresses the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, screening and diagnosis, basic management, and suggested counseling for an obstetric-gynecologic patient with structural heart disease.